County targeting homeless populations, agricultural workers for one-dose vaccine

Yolo County has received supplies of all three COVID-19 vaccines but is targeting the one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine at transient populations that may be harder to reach for a second dose. Those populations include the homeless, inmates at the Yolo County jail and agricultural workers, according to county spokeswoman Jenny Tan. Currently three vaccines are authorized for emergency use in the United States: the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which require two doses several weeks apart, and the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which is a single dose. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for those 16 and up while Moderna and Johnson and Johnson are only approved for those 18 and up. All three have been shown to be 100 percent effective at preventing COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have higher overall efficacy rates than Johnson and Johnson. Tan urged county residents on Thursday to not be picky about the vaccine they receive, noting that “all three are safe, effective and free.” “The best vaccine to get is the one offered to you,” she said. Gov. Gavin Newsom magnified that message on Thursday by receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine during an appearance in Southern California. “It’s an opportunity to highlight the (Johnson and Johnson) vaccines that are coming in,” said Newsom. “One and done.” Newsom received the vaccine on the first day of eligibility for everyone ages 50 and up in California. With that eligibility change, Tan said those seeking vaccines at county clinics will no longer need to provide proof of employment or age to receive a shot. “What we will do is show residents a list of currently eligible groups and ask if you meet one of these groups. All you need to do is say, ‘Yes’ if you are eligible,” said Tan. “We may ask you for your drivers license or something that shows you are a Yolo County resident. However, if you work in Yolo County and live elsewhere, you can say that at the clinic as well.” But while eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine expanded Thursday to everyone 50 and over and will expand again in two weeks to everyone 16 and older, appointments will be limited. “We expect vaccine supply to increase significantly during April, but for those who become newly eligible on April 1, supply will remain very limited,” said Yolo County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson. “Until we see an increase in supply, vaccine appointments will continue to be difficult to come by.” Said Newsom: “Just because you allow the access, doesn’t mean that everybody can rush and get… a dose. Our biggest constraint continues to be manufactured supply.” “It’s going to take a number of months for us to exhaust that demand,” he said. Yolo County plans to continue hosting vaccine clinics for those at highest risk of exposure, serious complications or death from COVID-19, such as the homeless, seniors 65 and up, ag workers, and others. The county also will continue to host public vaccine clinics where currently eligible residents — including those 50 and over — will be able to sign up for an appointment, though spots may fill up more quickly with the expanded eligibility. Public clinics planned for last Friday and Saturday filled up within hours of appointments opening. The county recommends that residents look at multiple options for vaccine appointments, including checking with their healthcare providers to see if they’ve expanded eligibility; local community clinics that may be vaccinating non-members; and pharmacies such as CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens and Safeway. The state’s online vaccine appointment system, MyTurn.Ca.Gov, has also had appointments available for local residents 50 and up this week. Residents interested in securing one should check the website frequently. Yolo County Supervisor Jim Provenza of Davis said the county is pleased that more county residents will become eligible for vaccines in the coming weeks, but cautioned that “because the supply of vaccines is still too low to give shots to all willing Yolo County residents, it is essential that we continue to wear masks, maintain physical distancing and avoid gatherings with persons not in our households. “Yolo County staff and volunteers are getting shots into arms as fast as the vaccines arrive in our county,” Provenza said. “I am optimistic that our supply will increase soon so that we will be able to vaccinate all willing Yolo County residents.” The county also urges residents who have been vaccinated to continue following public health guidance, including wearing a face covering in public, practicing physical distancing and avoiding gatherings when possible. Meanwhile, those 65 and older who need help scheduling a vaccine appointment should call the Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance at 530-757-5583 for assistance. Care givers — both formal and informal — can email First 5 Yolo at: COVID@first5yolo.org Additionally, homebound residents in need of an in-home vaccine and residents with questions can call 2-1-1 or toll free 855-866-1783. For more information on Yolo County’s COVID-19 vaccine and distribution process, visit www.yolocounty.org/coronavirus-vaccine.