On Monday, Blue Shield took over California’s COVID-19 vaccination distribution in an attempt to streamline the process and create a single, statewide criterion, remove the responsibility from individual counties.San Joaquin and Stanislaus were among the first counties impacted by the shift to Blue Shield, as the insurance company focused its efforts on communities where the virus disproportionately affected families. Here are five things to know about the shift: 1.Blue Shield’s goal is to fully inoculate 25 million people by the summer. In a statement sent to KCRA 3, the insurance company said its plan is to increase the doses per week from one million to four million by the end of March.The transition began Monday, March 1, and is expected to finish the change to the statewide criteria by end of the month. 2.During the transition, county plans will remain in place but will transition to the “My Turn” appointment system.3.San Joaquin County will continue to offer vaccine information online, and by phone via 211. Tiffany Heyer, a spokeswoman with the San Joaquin Office of Emergency Services said San Joaquin will continue to offer the vaccine through existing methods. “In the meantime, we’re kind of in this awkward position where we have some appointments that we are continuing to do as we have before,” Heyer said. Residents in phase 1B, which includes people ages 65 and older, agricultural and food workers, and education employees, may register for the vaccine via “My Turn” beginning Tuesday. “My Turn” may be accessed online and for those who have limited access to the internet, computers, and smartphones may reach out to via telephone via the California COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255 (M-F 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sa-Su 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) for assistance.4.Stanislaus County is waiting to see how this change will impact walk-up appointments.Stanislaus County offers walk-up vaccine appointments. Kamlesh Kaur, a spokeswoman with the Stanislaus County Public Health said county leaders are waiting to see how the new model will impact walk-ups. “It’s still a sort of wait-and-see and to see like how that would impact our current model,” Kaur said.5.The state says the change will take time.Initially, communities will see fewer providers who are vaccinating faster, then after a while, more and more of the supply will go out to the rest of the community, the Public Health Services of California told KCRA saying, “The state is working with Blue Shield to maximize the efficient and equitable distribution of vaccines.”Read Blue Shield’s Full statement here.
On Monday, Blue Shield took over California’s COVID-19 vaccination distribution in an attempt to streamline the process and create a single, statewide criterion, remove the responsibility from individual counties.
San Joaquin and Stanislaus were among the first counties impacted by the shift to Blue Shield, as the insurance company focused its efforts on communities where the virus disproportionately affected families.
Here are five things to know about the shift:
1.Blue Shield’s goal is to fully inoculate 25 million people by the summer. In a statement sent to KCRA 3, the insurance company said its plan is to increase the doses per week from one million to four million by the end of March.
The transition began Monday, March 1, and is expected to finish the change to the statewide criteria by end of the month.
2.During the transition, county plans will remain in place but will transition to the “My Turn” appointment system.
3.San Joaquin County will continue to offer vaccine information online, and by phone via 211.
Tiffany Heyer, a spokeswoman with the San Joaquin Office of Emergency Services said San Joaquin will continue to offer the vaccine through existing methods.
“In the meantime, we’re kind of in this awkward position where we have some appointments that we are continuing to do as we have before,” Heyer said.
Residents in phase 1B, which includes people ages 65 and older, agricultural and food workers, and education employees, may register for the vaccine via “My Turn” beginning Tuesday.
“My Turn” may be accessed online and for those who have limited access to the internet, computers, and smartphones may reach out to via telephone via the California COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255 (M-F 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sa-Su 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) for assistance.
4.Stanislaus County is waiting to see how this change will impact walk-up appointments.
Stanislaus County offers walk-up vaccine appointments. Kamlesh Kaur, a spokeswoman with the Stanislaus County Public Health said county leaders are waiting to see how the new model will impact walk-ups.
“It’s still a sort of wait-and-see and to see like how that would impact our current model,” Kaur said.
5.The state says the change will take time.
Initially, communities will see fewer providers who are vaccinating faster, then after a while, more and more of the supply will go out to the rest of the community, the Public Health Services of California told KCRA saying, “The state is working with Blue Shield to maximize the efficient and equitable distribution of vaccines.”