1/13/21 Update:
Santa Clara County announced today that in addition to all healthcare personnel in Phase 1A being eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, some health systems in the County are now allowing Santa Clara County residents who are age 75 and older to receive their vaccine.
For more information on eligibility and scheduling an appointment please visit sccfreevax.org.
The federal and state government have established phases for when different populations are eligible to receive vaccine. Currently, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has instructed all counties in California to vaccinate persons in “Phase 1A” which includes healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities (e.g., nursing homes). In addition, CDPH has now provided guidance that healthcare providers may begin offering vaccine doses to some Phase 1B Tier 1 populations if appropriate efforts have been made to reach higher priority groups and vaccine demand has slowed down in the currently eligible phases. CDPH is in the process of developing further direction for healthcare providers and counties related the groups included in Phase 1B and 1C.
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Vaccine distribution is being organized and carried out by the State of California and the Santa Clara County Health Department which hold the authority and responsibility to manage this important component of the health and safety of our community. The County and State are using a "phase" and "tiered" system to guide the process, directing that the most vulnerable and health care workers closest to COVID be given the opportunity to get the currently limited doses of the vaccine first. As the first phase is completed, then the focus will switch to the next phase.
Here is a link to the County's vaccine plan with more information: sccfreevax.org.