COVID-19 vaccines are an important tool to reducing transmission and returning the community to normal operations. Together, we will end the pandemic.

 

Local Planning

Until vaccines are widely available, the state and federal government have prioritized vaccine distribution to frontline health care workers and vulnerable populations (see chart). Vaccines will come into the community through a variety of means, including direct allocations to local congregate living facilities, medical providers, health insurers and the Public Health Division.

Most residents will receive their vaccines through their medical provider, and residents should contact their doctor or clinic for more information. The Public Health Division will distribute vaccine through our local vaccine plan.

Until everyone has access to a vaccine, everyone should continue doing their part to protect the community, including staying home as much as possible, wearing face coverings in public, maintaining social distancing and avoiding gatherings with those outside their your household.

COVID Vaccine Planning

The Public Health Division is scaling up COVID-19 vaccination efforts. If you are an organization or entity with staff such as healthcare and frontline essential workers that may be eligible for vaccine distribution, we urge you to fill out the following survey to help us distribute vaccine as quickly as possible. Please only submit one form per organization/business/healthcare facility. (This survey is for planning purposes only and does not assure your agency or staff priority distribution).
Community Vaccine Clinic Planning Survey

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What values and principles are guiding local distribution of the vaccine?

    The Public Health Division is committed to providing transparent and accurate information to help residents make vaccine decisions, focusing on equity and data, ensuring safe and equitable distribution and leveraging all venues and partners for broad vaccine distribution.

  • How will a COVID-19 vaccine impact the pandemic?

    A COVID-19 vaccine could reduce the number of people with COVID-19, reduce severity of illness, reduce hospitalizations and reduce deaths.

  • What can I do to help?

    If you have medical experience, the County’s Medical Reserve Corps is organizing volunteers to help administer vaccines. To sign up, go to our Medical Reserve Corps page and sign up as a new Disaster Healthcare Volunteer.

    General volunteers can sign up through the County’s Volunteer Initiative Program

  • When will vaccines be available?

    We have received the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine. At first, supplies will be limited, but will increase in the coming months.

  • Who gets the vaccine first?

    The initial limited supply of vaccines will go to frontline healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities. As the supply of vaccine increases, those with the highest risk of becoming infected and spreading COVID-19 will receive vaccines.

  • What steps are being taken to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe?

    The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. California also formed a Scientific Safety Review Work Group comprised of nationally recognized immunization, public health, academic and other experts to review vaccine safety.

    The work group is staying abreast of vaccine candidate(s) trials, evidence of safety and efficacy, and other information to independently provide recommendations to California leadership as well as ensure public confidence in vaccine safety, efficacy, and implementation efforts.

  • How many doses are needed for the vaccine to be effective?

    Most of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States need two doses several weeks apart to be effective.

  • Is the vaccine free?

    Cost will not be a barrier to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

  • If I get the vaccine, will I still have to wear a mask?

    Yes. While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to us to help stop this pandemic, like wearing masks, washing hands and physical distancing.

  • Should people who have gotten sick with COVID still get vaccinated?

    Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, people may be advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they have been sick with COVID-19 before. At this time, we do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. We won’t know how long immunity produced by vaccination lasts until we have a vaccine and more data on how well it works.

  • I’m a healthcare provider. How do I become a vaccinating organization?

    California's new centralized system for healthcare providers enrolled or interested in participating in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program is CalVax.

    • CalVax replaces the COVIDReadi system
    • CalVax allows providers to enroll in the California COVID-19 Vaccination Program, order vaccines, update account information, and manage vaccine reporting tasks
    • You will still need to register for CAIR2
    • If you are already enrolled in COVIDReadi, you do not need to re-enroll in CalVax

    For more information: covidcallcenter@cdph.ca.gov or (833) 502-1245

Public Resources:

Healthcare Provider Resources:

Providers interested in participating in COVID-19 Vaccination can enroll in the California’s centralized system CalVax.