COVID-19 Status Update for 02/26/2021

Marin County COVID-19 Status Update for February 26 includes a new schedule for status updates; the “aloha spirit” at one of our vaccine sites; vaccine appointment support for the 75+; and updated COVID-19 data.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Overview:

On this page, you will find:

 

Where and how will I be vaccinated?

Where and how you will be vaccinated will depend on your place within the vaccine distribution framework and the available supply at the time you become eligible. Currently, vaccines are offered at community vaccine sites.  Later in 2021, when vaccines are more widely available, Marin residents will be able to be vaccinated at doctors offices, clinics and pharmacies.

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?

The general public should have access to the vaccine by Spring 2021, but others may prioritized to receive the vaccine earlier.  As of January 25, the California Department of Public Health is prioritizing vaccine for individuals who:

  • Those at higher risk for severe disease or death (due to age or other factors)
  • Are unable to work at home
  • Live or work in geographic areas that have been highly impacted
  • Are most likely to spread disease to other workers or the public

Below, please review the current distribution model to see if you fit within any priority groups.  If you do not see your occupation listed, you default to the Phase/Tier that represents your age and health history.  Remember, 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. Sign-up for our interest form and be notified of when you're eligible to receive the vaccine.

Distribution Model

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 according to eligibility defined by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).  CDPH is allocating COVID-19 vaccines as they become available to ensure equitable distribution.

The chart below is dictated by the State of California's Vaccination Plan. This distribution framework is subject to change based on additional recommendations and definitions from CDC and CDPH. Timelines are tentative and are determined based on vaccine supply allocations from CDPH.  (Chart Revision Date: 2/24/21)
Phase 1A

LEGEND:

  • Green circles show groups that have been, or are being, offered vaccine
  • Red squares show groups that are waiting to be offered vaccine

Tier 1 - In progress

  • 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 - In progress

  • 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 - In Progress

  • 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
  • Community Health Workers
  • Children and Family Services (Foster Program) Resource Families with a letter from the program on letterhead with name of the providers to be vaccinated.
  • CA Dept of Developmental Services - family health care workers (including family members who care for people with any of the following conditions: Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Epilepsy, or Specialized health care needs, including dependence upon ventilators, oxygen, and other technology. A full eligibility list and types of accepted eligibility documentation can be obtained from a local California regional center. Alternatively, a family member may choose to present medical documentation of the qualifying condition of the member of their household who has an intellectual or developmental disability.)

Vaccination options for healthcare workers in Phase 1A (all tiers):

 

 
Phase 1B

LEGEND:

  • Green circles show groups that have been, or are being, offered vaccine
  • Red squares show groups that are waiting to be offered vaccine

Tier 1

The State of California has announced that it is changing its vaccine rollout strategy in California after completion of Phase 1B, Tier 1 (Education and Childcare, Emergency Services, Food and Agriculture). The state plans to transition to age-based eligibility, allowing California to scale up and down quickly, while ensuring vaccine goes to disproportionately impacted communities.

 

Tier 2

  • Beginning March 15, healthcare providers may use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals age 16-64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 as a direct result of one or more of the severe health conditions included in this provider bulletin.

 

Vaccination options for Phase 1B eligible groups:
Phase 1C

LEGEND:

  • Green circles show groups that have been, or are being, offered vaccine
  • Red squares show groups that are waiting to be offered vaccine

Tier 1

  • Individuals 50 - 64 years of age
  • Individuals 16 - 49 years of age

The additional groups to be vaccinated within Phase 1C will be determined by CDPH and announced as demand among Phase 1B groups subsides.

Phase timelines are estimates and are subject to change based on vaccine supply.
 

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

Federal agencies will decide:

  • Which vaccines are approved for use in United States (FDA)
  • How much vaccine will be allocated to each state (CDC)
  • Overall framework for who gets vaccine at each phase of the rollout (CDC)
  • Ongoing research, monitoring, and oversight (NIH, FDA, CDC)

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will decide:

  • Which vaccine(s) will be used in CA
  • How much vaccine will be allocated to each local health jurisdiction/county
  • State-specific framework for who will get vaccine when (per federal guidelines)
  • Which data systems will be used across the state to monitor vaccine distribution and uptake
  • Ongoing data collection, monitoring and oversight

Marin Public Health will:

  • Coordinate local infrastructure for vaccine storage, distribution, & administration
  • Promote efficient, transparent and equitable distribution across local communities
  • Conduct ongoing data reporting and monitoring

What should I do while I wait to be vaccinated?

    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.

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