Vaccine Appointments Open on Mondays

–From County Public Health Office

Appointments for first doses of COVID-19 vaccines are available to eligible Santa Barbara County residents every Monday at 9 am through the county’s public health vaccination sites. People who are eligible for these appointments are those who work in emergency services, agriculture, and food services, and any remaining Phase 1A health care workers. 

The county on Monday expected to receive 3,800 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which was to be distributed among healthcare providers and which was to be used at some public health vaccination sites. It is important to know that all three vaccines now authorized for emergency use are highly effective at preventing moderate-to-severe COVID-19 symptoms. The J&J vaccine is delivered in a single dose, which means more people can be vaccinated in a shorter time frame. This will allow the county to continue to see fewer COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

“Having an effective, fast-acting, one-dose vaccine at our disposal only enhances our ability to vaccinate every community member who wishes to receive the vaccine. This added tool propels us further forward towards the end of this pandemic,” said Van Do-Reynoso, Director for the Public Health Department. “With this added light at the end of the tunnel, I’d like to remind our community that now is not the time to drop our guard. Continue masking, practicing social distance, and getting tested.” 

To register for an appointment, go to https://publichealthsbc.org/vaccine. Eligible persons may also contact the county call center for assistance registering by dialing 2-1-1, and selecting option 4 after choosing language. 

Educators are Eligible

Separate clinics will continue to take place for educators in coordination with the Santa Barbara Education Office, private school administrators, and higher education leaders. Appointments for educators are being distributed by the district, charter, private school, and higher education administrations. Appointments for child-care workers are coordinated through the Children’s Resource and Referral Agency for the county.

Additionally, CVS Pharmacy and Rite-Aid Pharmacy, through vaccines allocated directly by the federal government, are offering appointments to all eligible sectors including emergency services, agriculture and food industry, educators and child-care, health care workers and those aged 65 and older. Other local pharmacies and hospitals continue to offer appointments to healthcare workers and those ages 65 and older.