San Mateo County has 21.3 percent of the population with their COVID-19 vaccines updated, double that registered in California (10.1 percent), however, the Latino community is the one with the lowest percentage of being up to date. , with only 8.0 percent.
Local health authorities reported that, to date, in San Mateo County, more than 165,000 residents are considered up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, which means they have received the latest vaccine that was available. in September and is formulated to be effective against the most recent variants of the disease.
And while the percentage of updated residents in San Mateo County is among the highest in California, vaccination rates are much lower this year than in previous years, locally and nationally, and the percentages Updated data for some demographic groups in the county are low.
The American Indian and Alaska Native population has the highest percentage of being up to date with their vaccination against COVID-19, with 26.6 percent, followed by Caucasians with 25.4 percent, Asian Americans with 22.8 percent, and African Americans with 14.8 percent. percent, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander 9.1 percent, Latino at 8.0 percent, and multi-race at 7.0 percent.
Given this, and as the peak winter travel season continues, San Mateo County health officials continue to urge vaccination as the best protection against the worst effects of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.
Additionally, the County Health Immunization Program has partnered with local healthcare providers to provide free community clinics offering COVID vaccines to uninsured and underinsured residents in neighborhoods with lower scores on the Healthy Places Index.
To date, these partners have completed more than 40 clinics throughout the county: in Daly City, South San Francisco, San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, Redwood City and East Palo Alto, authorities said in a statement.
San Mateo Medical Center, which serves more than 60,000 publicly insured residents, has provided COVID vaccinations at its outpatient clinics in San Mateo, Daly City, North Fair Oaks, Half Moon Bay and elsewhere, and Street and Field Medicine have offered shots to homeless people. Vaccinations have also been offered at the County Navigation Center.
"We have accomplished a lot, but there is still work to do," said Lizelle Lirio de Luna, director of Family Health Services, which directs the Immunization Program.
?While overall acceptance of the latest COVID vaccine has been weaker in San Mateo County and elsewhere than in previous years, we still urge everyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine. Is it the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family? he added.
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in San Mateo County and throughout the region. Residents should contact their primary healthcare provider, pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens, or check vaccines.gov for the nearest location.
Many pharmacies offer free COVID-19 to uninsured residents; Call or check pharmacy websites for more information.
Likewise, residents without medical coverage can also contact County Health at 650-573-2877 or email SMCHealth_IZ@smcgov.org to learn how to access vaccines at no cost.
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