How to get the COVID-19 Vaccination

First things first…

How Can I Get a Vaccine?

The CDC makes recommendations for who should receive the vaccine first, then each state makes its own plan according to those recommendations.

Click the link below to see if you are eligible for the vaccine based on your health department:

Click Here

Because supply of the Covid-19 vaccine is limited, the CDC is providing recommendations to federal, state, and local governments on who should receive the vaccine first.

Recommendations in mind:

  • Decreasing death and serious disease as much as possible
  • Preserve the functioning of society
  • Reduce the extra burden that Covid-19 is having on people already facing problems

While the CDC makes recommendations for who should be offered COVID-19 vaccine first, each state has its own plan for deciding who will be vaccinated first and how they can receive vaccines. So please contact your local health department for more information on COVID-19 vaccinations in your area.

Vaccines are being delivered in phases:

– Phase 1a:

Healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities will be offered the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines

– Phase 1b: (CURRENT)

Frontline essential workers such as fire fighters, police officers, corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, United States Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the educational sector (teachers, support staff, and daycare workers.)

People aged 75 years and older because they are at high risk of hospitalization, illness, and death from COVID-19. People aged 75 years and older who are also residents of long-term care facilities should be offered vaccination in Phase 1a.

People aged 65—74 years who are also residents of long-term care facilities should be offered vaccination in Phase 1a.

– Phase 1c:

People aged 65—74 years because they are at high risk of hospitalization, illness, and death from COVID-19.

People aged 16—64 years with underlying medical conditions which increase the risk of serious, life-threatening complications from COVID-19.

Other essential workers, such as people who work in transportation and logistics, food service, housing construction and finance, information technology, communications, energy, law, media, public safety, and public health.

As vaccine availability increases, vaccination recommendations will expand to include more groups

The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as large enough quantities of vaccine are available. As vaccine supply increases but remains limited, ACIP will expand the groups recommended for vaccination.

Residents in these groups, as well as county residents who are 65 years and older who have not yet been vaccinated, can sign up to access state and federal sites through MyTurn or by calling 1-833-422-4255.

INFORMATION ONLY RELATING TO CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

Essential workers and residents 65 years and older can also request immunization appointments through Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and join the county waiting list for COVID-19 vaccine. However, due to a temporary reduction in vaccine supply from the state, all appointments at county sites are filled through the next two weeks at least.

For more information: Click Here

References:

CDC 2020, updated 19 Feburary 2021 < https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html >

City of Walnut Creek 2021, updated 25 January 2021 < https://www.walnut-creek.org/Home/Components/News/News/2825/1851 >

cchealth 2021, updated 5 March 2021 < https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/get-vaccinated >

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