COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Overview:

On this page, you will find:

• Where and how will I be vaccinated?
• When can I be vaccinated?
• Vaccine distribution phases and tiers
• Federal, State and Local roles in Distribution
• What should I do while I wait to be vaccinated?

Current Status:

UPDATED 1/14/21: Currently only health care workers defined in Phase 1A are being vaccinated. This includes hospital employees, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), skilled nursing and long-term care facility employees, home health care workers, mental health providers, dentists, specialty clinics workers, outpatient / private practice workers, etc. Health care workers who are eligible for a vaccine can register for an appointment on this page (see below).

Some medical providers have begun scheduling patients who are in Phase 1B, including those over age 65, into vaccine appointments next week. Remaining health care providers across the community will be reaching out to their patients who fall into Phase 1B groups once the phase officially opens and vaccine supply is available.

Where and how will I be vaccinated?

Where and how you will be vaccinated depends on two factors:

• The Phase/Tier you fall within
• Progress of federal and state vaccine distribution infrastructure.

Healthcare worker vaccinations

Health care workers in Phases 1A (Tiers 1-3) -- will be vaccinated at their place of employment or at a public health vaccine event. 

• Healthcare workers who work for hospitals in Marin County are being vaccinated by their employers.
• Healthcare workers and residents of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are being vaccinated onsite by the facility staff, Marin Public Health or by staff from CVS thorough a federal pharmacy program. 
• Healthcare workers and residents of other long-term care facilities with congregate living, such as assisted living, will be vaccinated onsite by staff from CVS thorough a federal pharmacy program, OR at a special vaccination site.
• Public Health is vaccinating other healthcare workers in at special vaccination sites. Learn more about vaccinations for healthcare workers.

Non-Healthcare worker (general public) vaccinations

Later phases of distribution (Phases 1B, 1C, 2 and 3) will have a wider range of vaccine options, such as their medical provider, local healthcare clinics, commercial pharmacies, additional employer-based vaccine events, and public health mass vaccination events. Marin Public Health is working with a network of partners to provide as many entry points as the vaccine supply will allow.

Remember, vaccine production is slowly increasing in the United States and Marin County is provided with only small amounts of vaccine each week. There may be vaccine shortages for several months before everyone who wants a vaccine can get one. 

When is MY turn to get vaccinated?

Vaccine production is slowly increasing in the United States. There may be vaccine shortages for several months before everyone who wants a vaccine can get one. In the interim, here are three steps you can take to learn when it will be your turn to be vaccinated:

• Know your Phase/Tier:   occupation, age, medical history and home environment are factors that the California Department of Public Health considers when prioritizing groups for vaccination. If your occupation is not defined as an essential worker role, then your age and medical history will help you define when a vaccine will be available to you.  
• Talk with your employer and/or primary care provider: As vaccines become more readily available and vaccinations begin for Phases 1B and higher, you may be able to get a vaccine via your primary care provider or employer (depending on the size of the company you work for).  Alternatively, your primary care provider or employer may refer you to a vaccine location (e.g., CVS, Walgreens or other point of dispensing location). 
• Stay informed: Subscribe to updates from Marin Public Health, which include periodic updates regarding Marin’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution progress.  In addition, continue to monitor Marin Public Health’s vaccine website for updates.

Find Your Place In Line

The New York Times offers an interactive tool to illustrate vaccine prioritization. It provides perspective on number of people who will need a vaccine in each state and county and where you might fit in that line. This is shared for illustrative purposes only and is not an exact match with California Department of Public Health's recommendations for vaccine allocation.

Distribution Model

Vaccine production is slowly increasing in the United States. There may be vaccine shortages for several months before everyone who wants a vaccine can get one.  During this time of limited vaccine supply, Marin Public Health will distribute the vaccine over three phases. The phases are designed to ensure those most at risk of exposure to COVID-19 or at highest risk of complications due to COVID-19 are vaccinated first. Marin County is also prioritizing vulnerable populations and communities that had high COVID-19 illness. We are working with local partners including hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and pharmacies for vaccine distribution.

The chart below models the order in which people will become eligible to get vaccinated based on criteria developed by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). This is a "working model" that is subject to change from day-to-day based on additional recommendations and definitions from CDC and CDPH. Timelines are tentative and are determined based on vaccine supply allocations from CDPH. 

LEGEND:

• Green circles show groups that have been, or are being, offered vaccine

• Red squares show groups that are waiting to be offered vaccine

Phase 1A (Mid-December through late January*)

Tier 1 - Vaccinating now Health care personnel at Acute Care Facilities (e.g., Hospitals) Paramedics, EMTs and others providing emergency medical services Skilled Nursing Facilities Memory Care - Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Residential Care Facilities for Elderly Dialysis Centers Adult Resident Facilities Social Rehabilitation Facilities Enhanced Behavioral Support Homes for Adults Hospice Personnel Residential Care Facilities for Chronically Ill Tier 2 - Vaccinating now Intermediate care facilities, for persons who need non-continuous nursing supervision and supportive care Federally Qualified Health Centers Home health care and in-home supportive services (IHSS) Community health workers, including promotoras (including those involved with testing or supportive services to persons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19) Urgent Care Clinics Primary Care Clinics (Private Practice) Correctional facility clinics Public Health field staff who have face to face contact with patients/public (e.g. during testing, contact tracing, outbreak investigations) Tier 3 - Vaccinating now Specialty clinics Dental / Oral health clinics Pharmacy staff not working in settings in higher tiers Laboratory workers Veterinarians Mental Health Providers Chiropractors COVID-19 Testing Occupational Health Optometry Clinics Physical Therapists/Occupational Therapists (if not working in settings at higher tiers) School and University Health Centers Speech Therapists Surgery Centers

Phase 1B (Starting late January*)

Tier 1 Older Adults People 75 & over People 65 to 74 Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors Education Childcare Food and Agriculture workers Emergency Services Tier 2 Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: Transportation and Logistics Industrial, commercial, residential and sheltering facilities and services Critical manufacturing Congregate settings with outbreak risk: Incarcerated (jails and prisons) Individuals experiencing homelessness

Phase 1C (Starting late February or early March*)

Tier 1 Individuals 50 - 64 years of age Individuals 16 - 49 years of age with an underlying health condition or disability which increases their risk of severe COVID-19 illness and/or death Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: - Water and Waste Management - Defense - Energy - Chemical and hazardous materials - Communication and IT - Financial services - Government operations / Community-based essential functions

Phase 2** (Late Spring 2021*)
People with health conditions that put them at moderately higher risk (examples to be defined soon) Any remaining Phase 1A, 1B, or 1C populations

Phase 3** (Summer 2021*)
Younger adults and children (general population) Any remaining Phase 1 or 2 populations

Phases 1A, 1B, and 1C are determined by CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by California Department of Public Health (Sources: CDPH's Drafting Guidelines Workgroup;  Phase 1A guidelines; Phases 1B & 1C guidelines).
* Phase timelines are estimates as of January 14, 2021 and are subject to change based on vaccine supply.
** Phases 2 and 3 are subject to change.

Vaccine Pace Across California

The California Department of Public Health has convened a Drafting Guidelines Workgroup which is leveraging national prioritization frameworks and reviewing data regarding occupational exposure and COVID-19 risk to prioritize sectors across phases and tiered population groups. All California counties will follow these guidelines in administering vaccine.  However, given the number of people falling into the various tiers in a specific county, the uptake of those in the priority group in getting vaccinated, and the logistics and timeline for use of the vaccine so that no doses go to waste, counties may be in different tiers in administering vaccine to their population.

Federal, State and Local Roles

What should I do while I wait to be vaccinated?

This webpage will be updated frequently with information pertaining to vaccination priority areas as resources become available to allow for expansion of categorical groups.

• 1. Follow the prevention guidelines you’ve heard about since the pandemic started. You should cover your mouth and nose with a face covering whenever you are around others. Avoid close contact with other people outside your household, especially if they could be sick. Practice physical distancing and wash your hands often. And note: you still have to follow these steps after you get both doses of vaccine.
  2. Connect with us. Sign up for Marin Public Health's COVID-19 Status Update Newsletter and/or get more information by visiting the COVID-19 vaccine website.