January 28, 2021 News Release: Tulare County Updates COVID Vaccine Plan, Now Starting to Vaccinate Phase 1B, Tier 1 Officials Urge Residents to be Patient as Vaccine Supply Remains VERY Limited
Tulare County Updates COVID Vaccine Plan, Now Starting to Vaccinate Phase 1B, Tier 1
Officials Urge Residents to be Patient as Vaccine Supply Remains VERY Limited
Tulare County Public Health has updated its COVID Vaccine Plan and is now offering vaccinations to those eligible in Tier 1 of Phase 1B. The county continues to vaccinate those eligible in all tiers of Phase 1A and residents age 65 and older. Eligibility in Tier 1 of Phase 1B includes frontline workers in the following sectors: Education and Childcare; Emergency Services; Food and Agriculture Workers.
This advancement into vaccinating Tier 1 of Phase 1B significantly increases the number of residents now eligible to receive the COVID vaccine in Tulare County; however, vaccine supply remains VERY LIMITED. County officials are asking residents to remain patient, as currently there is not enough vaccine supply to meet the demand of all who are now eligible. Although vaccine supply is limited, Tulare County Public Health, in coordination with our area health care providers, will begin allocating doses to start vaccinating those qualified in Tier 1 of Phase 1B. Officials will provide more vaccination clinics and open more appointments to get vaccinated once supply and vaccine allocations to Tulare County increase.
It is important to know that although Tulare County is beginning to vaccinate residents eligible in Tier 1 of Phase 1B, first-dose clinics for residents eligible in Phase 1B will be limited, as Tulare County Public Health is balancing vaccine inventory to meet the requirements of second doses for residents who have already received their first dose of the COVID vaccine.
Below is the Current COVID Vaccine Schedule for Tulare County:
VACCINATING NOW
- All Phase 1A Tiers (1-3): Health Care Workers and Seniors in Assisted Living Facilities
- Starting Phase 1B – Tier 1:
- Individuals age 65 and older
- Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors:
- Education and childcare: teachers, school staff, early childhood & higher-education staff
- Emergency Services: first responders, public safety staff, and social service field staff
- Food and Agriculture: farm labor, grocery workers, and food manufacturing workers
Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements to receive the COVID Vaccine can visit the Tulare County COVID Vaccine webpage at: https://covid19.tularecounty.
Vaccine Second-Dose Appointments
Already received your first dose of the COVID vaccine and need to make your second-dose appointment? Please DO NOT call 2-1-1 or 1-800-283-9323. Tulare County Public Health will contact you directly by phone or email to schedule your second-dose appointment. If you do not have a scheduled appointment within a week of the date for your second dose, call (559) 685-2260 to alert Tulare County Public health that you need to schedule your second-dose appointment.
The second dose of vaccine must be the same vaccine manufacturer as your first dose and administered by the same vaccine provider you got your first does from. For Pfizer, the second dose is to be given 21 days following the first dose. For Moderna, the second dose is to be given 28 days following the first dose.
It is extremely important that residents who are vaccinated for COVID-19 continue to maintain safety precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, including masking and social distancing, until vaccinations are widely available. It is imperative to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Tulare County by practicing both social and physical distancing of six feet or more between persons and not participating in social gatherings of any kind. Residents must always wear a face mask or covering while in environments where physical distancing is not possible and while in public settings. In addition, everyone is encouraged to frequently wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer, regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces, and stay home if you are sick or instructed to isolate/quarantine by a medical or public health professional.
For more information about COVID-19, visit www.tchhsa.org/ncov and www.covid19.tularecounty.ca.
