Public health officials recommending vaccinations for those in Phase 1a tiers

The recommendations are intended to maximize community immunity for all Californians in consideration of the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines. 

“Public Health staff are shifting priorities to accelerate delivery of vaccines to Kings County residents that are most vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19 either because of health conditions or exposure to sick individuals,” said Nichole Fisher, Nursing Division Manager for the Kings County Department of Public Health. “We encourage everyone eligible to receive the vaccine to consider the benefits of being immunized as opposed to the potential harm from contracting the disease.”

COVID-19 vaccines are now available to all sectors/populations of Phase 1a, which includes:

• Acute care, psychiatric and correctional facility hospitals
• Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and similar settings for older or medically vulnerable individuals. (This group receives their vaccine directly through pharmacies, which is a federal program)
• Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), and others providing emergency medical services
• Dialysis Centers
• Intermediate care facilities for persons who need non-continuous nursing supervision and supportive care
• Home healthcare and in-home supportive services providers
• Community health workers, including promotoras
• Public health field staff
• Primary Care clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Centers, correctional facility clinics, and urgent care clinics
• Other settings and health care workers
• Specialty clinics
• Laboratory workers
• Dental and other oral health clinics
• Pharmacy staff not working in setting at higher tiers
• Persons working in the mortuary services industry

Individuals that are part of these groups and would like to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, can call (559)852-2002 to schedule an appointment. Vaccines are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and are limited to the current supply. A waitlist will be established for those individuals that are part of the above groups for whom there is not enough vaccine.

Members of the public that are not part of the sectors/populations listed above can go to www.kingscovidinfo.com, and click on COVID-19 Vaccine Information to and sign up to receive notification when the vaccine becomes available to additional sectors/populations. Questions can also be submitted to KingsCovidVax@co.kings.ca.us.

For information regarding the COVID-19 vaccines, please see: 

Safety: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/index.html

Benefits: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html

Please visit www.kingscovidinfo.com for additional local information and resources.