Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360].
San Mateo County announced that it has partnered with Dignity Health, Sequoia Healthcare District and the City of Redwood City to continue operating a weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinic in North Fair Oaks.
Such a partnership, the county said, helps ensure that local residents have access to a community-oriented clinic in one of the neighborhoods most affected by the COVID-19 virus.
Likewise, he said, it also allows for a more predictable schedule, as well as drive-through and walk-in registration.
"From the beginning, we said our return depends on all of us, and that also means it depends on all of us working together to meet residents where they are," said County Supervisor Warren Slocum, whose Fourth District includes North Fair Oaks.
"This pandemic has highlighted that we are responsible not only for our own health, but also for those around us, and our vaccination efforts are no different. Every shot in the arm is a success for our county," he added.
Through a release, the county detailed that Dignity Health and the city of Redwood City will assume most of the operational functions of the site, while Sequoia Healthcare District provides the funding.
North Fair Oaks is an unincorporated neighborhood of approximately 15,000 residents located between Redwood City, Menlo Park and Atherton.
"We are thrilled to partner with Redwood City, San Mateo County and Sequoia Healthcare District to help vaccinate some of our community's most vulnerable residents, many of whom have difficulty accessing high-volume vaccination sites due to work schedules and access to transportation, or lack the technology to book appointments online," said Bill Graham, president of Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital.
The county established the NFO vaccine site along with other community locations identified as significantly affected by COVID-19 and with populations considered more difficult to reach or challenged to use mass vaccination sites.
"Supporting the health and well-being of district residents in times of calm and crisis is truly the value we bring to our community," said Pamela Kurtzman, executive director of the Sequoia Healthcare District.
Redwood City Mayor Diane Howard also praised the collaboration.
"The partnership between the county, Dignity Health, Sequoia Healthcare District and Redwood City exemplifies how, collectively, we are working hard to make receiving a vaccine easier, more accessible and convenient for our Redwood City and North Fair Oaks residents," Howard said.
The NFO clinic will be held on Sundays between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at Fair Oaks Health Center, located at 2710 Middlefield Road, Redwood City.
