Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
Starting this Monday, Feb. 22, San Mateo County expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to include teachers, child care providers, first responders, and food and agricultural workers who meet the state's Phase 1B criteria.
That's as long as vaccine supplies allow, the County Health Department said in a statement.
Most San Mateo County residents will receive the vaccine from their primary care provider. You will need to contact your health care provider for the most accurate and up-to-date information on when and how you can expect to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
In that regard, the County noted that residents will be able to receive a notification on their devices when they are eligible for the SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccine.
She added that while the supply of COVID-19 vaccine remains limited, residents can sign up for the county's notification tool to receive an alert when the state makes them eligible, as well as information on how they can get an appointment.
The notification system is intended as an interim strategy as the state of California prepares a vaccine alert system called MyTurn.
Of note, the county is currently vaccinating Phase 1A members - health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities - and Phase 1B residents 65 years of age and older as vaccine supply allows, in accordance with state guidelines.
And because of vaccine supply constraints, the Health Department remains focused on the needs of eligible people most at risk of death.
Residents who do not have health insurance should not worry, as it is not required to receive their doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
However, for residents without health insurance, but who do have a health care provider - including patients at San Mateo Medical Center clinics - they can contact their provider.
And for those residents who do not have a provider and wish to enroll in a health plan, you can access www.smchealth.org/insurance.
Health insurance is available regardless of immigration status through a combination of federal, state and county programs. So call (650) 616-2002 to speak with an enrollment counselor.
Both San Mateo County and the State of California have made equity a key priority in local vaccine delivery, as communities of color, low-income, older adults, and other affected populations face many barriers to vaccine uptake and access.
"We are currently engaged in a community engagement effort to learn from leaders closest to our most impacted communities," notes the County Health Department.
