Sure, the state has vaccinated millions of people, but there are still millions more who are eligible to get a vaccine and cannot get an appointment. (There are also tens of millions of Californians still waiting for their turn.) The authorities have cited a variety of reasons why getting a vaccine is so difficult, but what is happening to the process now?
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ABC7 News sent reporters to speak with health leaders in Santa Clara, San Francisco and Contra Costa counties about what is causing problems with vaccine implantation in their areas at the moment. Keep reading to see your answers.
What is your vaccination capacity now?
Santa Clara County: The municipality receives 6,000 doses daily from Monday to Friday and 1,000 doses on weekends. “The biggest challenge is that the county has the capacity to administer more vaccines than it is receiving,” a spokesman told ABC7 News.
San Francisco County: The city’s new mass vaccination site, at the Moscone Center, will be able to distribute 10,000 vaccines per day. Of course, this comes with a big caveat: it all depends on how many doses the place receives.
Contra Costa County: “We are currently administering 20,000 injections per week,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Health Officer. “If we had more vaccines, we would be able to give 40,000 a week. We have pharmacies and private doctors on standby to further increase our capacity ”.
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What is the state reporting on the progress of supply?
Saint Clara: The county says it has about two to three weeks of vaccine supply and a 20% increase has been guaranteed by state and federal agencies. The job ahead is formidable – only 37% of people aged 75 and over and only 28% of people aged 65 and over have been vaccinated so far.
San Francisco: The information changes day by day, said Kecia Kelly, head of nursing at Dignity Health.
Against Costa: The county believes that the offer will increase from 15% to 20% in the next three weeks, said Farnitano, and may increase a little more in March.
How far in advance do you know if you are receiving doses?
Saint Clara: The county usually finds out about next week’s supply on Tuesday nights. “This does not provide adequate waiting time for county planning and other vaccine providers,” said a county spokesman.
San Francisco: Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health, which will administer the injections at the Moscone Center, only receive the vaccine delivery number a few days in advance.
Against Costa: “At the moment, we have a very accurate panel of what to expect in about three weeks,” said Farnitano. “Based on this supply information, we make appointments.”
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Are you holding your second doses?
Saint Clara: Not anymore, says the county. “Yesterday, the state sent a letter to all vaccine providers instructing them to discontinue categorizing doses as first or second. The state’s guidance is to get all vaccine supplies in your arms as quickly as possible. number of doses they administer and do not separate the first and second doses. “
San Francisco: The county does not plan to withhold second doses.
Against Costa: The county does not retain vaccines, said Farnitano. However, they are in the implementation phase when they are starting to deliver more second doses. “We are carefully balancing appointments for second and first doses to ensure that we do not have to cancel appointments,” he said.
How long do you expect it will take to vaccinate everyone in your municipality?
Saint Clara: The county’s goal is to vaccinate 85% of eligible residents by August 1. But the county is quick to point out: it all depends on the supply they receive.
San Francisco: At least three months and possibly until the end of the summer.
Against Costa: The county plans to vaccinate “most” people by July 4.
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