San Joaquin County is working to hold COVID-19 vaccination clinics on an expanded and regular basis after what it dubbed on its website a “vaccine distribution that is much slower than any of us find acceptable.”Right now, vaccine access is open to county residents considered to be in Phase 1A and people who are 65 years old and older.San Joaquin County is trying to get the word out to people in that category so they’ll sign-up to get the shot.Saturday in Stockton, dozens of cars lined up along Arch Airport Road to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations at a county-organized clinic for veterans and their spouses or caregivers.The vaccine recipients at the event didn’t even need to line up early outside the Robert Cabral Agriculture Center. It was a pre-registration-required clinic. The prospect of missing out on the chance to get the shot, however, wasn’t an option.“When we went to do the turn, the cop said six hours. I said, ‘I don’t care,’” vaccine recipient Sheila Graves explained when asked if she felt deterred by the line-up.Vaccine recipient Gus Bauer didn’t think twice either. “Get me in that line. Not a problem,” he said.This clinic, operating over the course of two days, will administer roughly 2,500 doses. That, according to the county, is just the beginning of San Joaquin County reaching its residents at a larger scale.“I absolutely expect in the coming weeks, not months, that this will be a well-oiled machine,” said Virginia Wimmer, who is the veterans service officer in San Joaquin County. “We’re well on our way to that.”Board of supervisors chair Tom Patti said with this clinic, and others across San Joaquin County, the county is demonstrating to the state it can be entrusted with more vaccine supply.“Check all the boxes. We have set up a system, and we have set up an implementing process that needs to be fulfilled with supply and inventory of vaccinations,” said Patti.Veterans and their families at Saturday’s clinic — thankful the county gave them a shot at protection from the coronavirus.“At least I know when I go out I’m not gonna bring it in because my husband is such a high risk,” said Graves. “The doctor said he wouldn’t make it if he gets it.”“It’s been challenging, you know. And frustrating. And nerve-wracking,” said Bauer. “Cause you worry about your kids and your family and your friends.”A few miles away from veterans’ vaccine clinic was a small-scale event made a big impact with eligible Phase 1A, 65+ San Joaquin County community members.At 82 years old, Arturo Rosas didn’t hesitate to get the COVID-19 vaccination.“I didn’t even feel it!” Rosas exclaimed after receiving his vaccine dose.Rosas wants to be a part of helping health care providers learn about the vaccination’s effectiveness.“We need to know if it’s working – good. If it’s not working – good. What can we do?” he said.The clinic Rosas attended was hosted by WelbeHealth, one of the approved vaccine providers in San Joaquin County.“When I see people get vaccinated, I get goosebumps. I get tears in my eyes,” said Si France, MD, Founder and CEO of WelbeHealth.France said WelbeHealth already vaccinated its members and healthcare providers, so it asked the county if it could lend a hand by hosting a public clinic.“This event is just for the broader community. These people have nothing to do with Welbe,” France explained. “They’re seniors in the community and they’re front line workers in the community and we just opened up so we can be part of the solution.”Those attending the clinic were pleased to be one step closer to getting back to what life was like pre-pandemic, and encouraged others to do the same.“Get it out of the way!” said Rosas. “This way, we can return back to where we like to get together.”France called it nothing short of humbling to witness history in the making as his team administered, what could be, life-saving doses of the coronavirus vaccine to people in his community at high-risk.“Back in March, we didn’t even anticipate we’d even have vaccines today,” said France. “The fact that we started vaccinating people and saving lives is – it would be hard to put it into words how inspiring it is and how grateful it is to be part of it.”San Joaquin County expects to ramp up the number of vaccination clinics and the number of vaccines distributed in the coming weeks. County workers said the best way to figure out where the nearest vaccine clinic is to you and to see if you’re eligible to get one is to visit the website sjready.org.If you aren’t in the Phase 1A or 65-plus category, it’s still a good idea to check out sjready.org.The county plans to start up a vaccine “interest portal” next week where you can sign-up to be notified when you’re eligible to get the vaccine, and where you can go to receive it.
San Joaquin County is working to hold COVID-19 vaccination clinics on an expanded and regular basis after what it dubbed on its website a “vaccine distribution that is much slower than any of us find acceptable.”
Right now, vaccine access is open to county residents considered to be in Phase 1A and people who are 65 years old and older.
San Joaquin County is trying to get the word out to people in that category so they’ll sign-up to get the shot.
Saturday in Stockton, dozens of cars lined up along Arch Airport Road to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations at a county-organized clinic for veterans and their spouses or caregivers.
The vaccine recipients at the event didn’t even need to line up early outside the Robert Cabral Agriculture Center. It was a pre-registration-required clinic. The prospect of missing out on the chance to get the shot, however, wasn’t an option.
“When we went to do the turn, the cop said six hours. I said, ‘I don’t care,’” vaccine recipient Sheila Graves explained when asked if she felt deterred by the line-up.
Vaccine recipient Gus Bauer didn’t think twice either.
“Get me in that line. Not a problem,” he said.
This clinic, operating over the course of two days, will administer roughly 2,500 doses. That, according to the county, is just the beginning of San Joaquin County reaching its residents at a larger scale.
“I absolutely expect in the coming weeks, not months, that this will be a well-oiled machine,” said Virginia Wimmer, who is the veterans service officer in San Joaquin County. “We’re well on our way to that.”
Board of supervisors chair Tom Patti said with this clinic, and others across San Joaquin County, the county is demonstrating to the state it can be entrusted with more vaccine supply.
“Check all the boxes. We have set up a system, and we have set up an implementing process that needs to be fulfilled with supply and inventory of vaccinations,” said Patti.
Veterans and their families at Saturday’s clinic — thankful the county gave them a shot at protection from the coronavirus.
“At least I know when I go out I’m not gonna bring it in because my husband is such a high risk,” said Graves. “The doctor said he wouldn’t make it if he gets it.”
“It’s been challenging, you know. And frustrating. And nerve-wracking,” said Bauer. “Cause you worry about your kids and your family and your friends.”
A few miles away from veterans’ vaccine clinic was a small-scale event made a big impact with eligible Phase 1A, 65+ San Joaquin County community members.
At 82 years old, Arturo Rosas didn’t hesitate to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
“I didn’t even feel it!” Rosas exclaimed after receiving his vaccine dose.
Rosas wants to be a part of helping health care providers learn about the vaccination’s effectiveness.
“We need to know if it’s working – good. If it’s not working – good. What can we do?” he said.
The clinic Rosas attended was hosted by WelbeHealth, one of the approved vaccine providers in San Joaquin County.
“When I see people get vaccinated, I get goosebumps. I get tears in my eyes,” said Si France, MD, Founder and CEO of WelbeHealth.
France said WelbeHealth already vaccinated its members and healthcare providers, so it asked the county if it could lend a hand by hosting a public clinic.
“This event is just for the broader community. These people have nothing to do with Welbe,” France explained. “They’re seniors in the community and they’re front line workers in the community and we just opened up so we can be part of the solution.”
Those attending the clinic were pleased to be one step closer to getting back to what life was like pre-pandemic, and encouraged others to do the same.
“Get it out of the way!” said Rosas. “This way, we can return back to where we like to get together.”
France called it nothing short of humbling to witness history in the making as his team administered, what could be, life-saving doses of the coronavirus vaccine to people in his community at high-risk.
“Back in March, we didn’t even anticipate we’d even have vaccines today,” said France. “The fact that we started vaccinating people and saving lives is – it would be hard to put it into words how inspiring it is and how grateful it is to be part of it.”
San Joaquin County expects to ramp up the number of vaccination clinics and the number of vaccines distributed in the coming weeks. County workers said the best way to figure out where the nearest vaccine clinic is to you and to see if you’re eligible to get one is to visit the website sjready.org.
If you aren’t in the Phase 1A or 65-plus category, it’s still a good idea to check out sjready.org.
The county plans to start up a vaccine “interest portal” next week where you can sign-up to be notified when you’re eligible to get the vaccine, and where you can go to receive it.