Benicia Vaccine Clinic For Seniors 75 And Older: What To Know

BENICIA, CA — The city of Benicia is hosting a Solano Public Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Tuesday for Solano County residents who are 75 and older. The clinic was announced Friday, and due to overwhelming response, all 1,400 slots filled by Saturday afternoon, the city said.

The Moderna vaccine will be administered Tuesday to registered seniors at Benicia Senior Center; the second dose will be administered at the same location on Tuesday, March 2. Seniors are to return for the second dose at the same appointment time.

"The City of Benicia is excited to offer this vaccination clinic on very short notice to seniors over age 75," Mayor Steve Young said in a news release. "Many thanks are due to our great city staff who worked over the weekend, in coordination with Solano Public Health and Carquinez Village, to set this up. This is a very ambitious effort, and we ask the public for a certain level of patience as we attempt to vaccinate 1,400 people in a single day.”

City of Benicia staff and volunteers are manning a dedicated phone line at 707-746-4710 to assist with questions or issues that may arise.

Check-in for Tuesday's clinic is at Benicia City Gym, 180 East L St. Seniors are asked to arrive no more than 15 minutes before their appointment. Appointments will be honored even if lines cause a delay. One caretaker is allowed with the person being vaccinated. Caretakers will not receive the vaccination.

Upon arrival, seniors will receive a temperature check and are required to wear a mask and social distance throughout the entire process. During check-in, seniors are required to show proof of age and proof of Solano County residency.

After check-in, seniors will be directed to the Benicia Senior Center where they will receive their vaccination, then be observed for 15-30 minutes. The entire process may take up to one hour. Afterward, seniors may be picked up from the dedicated drop-off/pick-up zone in the roundabout in front of Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, or return to their shuttle stop.

"Please do not wait for seniors and linger in the pick-up or drop-off zones to prevent further congestion," the city said. "Keep in touch with your seniors before picking them up."

Heavy traffic is expected in the area and parking is limited. Seniors who are more mobile are asked to use street parking farther away and walk to the clinic.

Soltrans is assisting by providing free shuttles to and from dedicated parking lots at the Benicia Community Center, 370 East L St., and Benicia Unified School District Office, 350 East K St.

The city thanked neighbors and businesses in the area for "their patience and understanding on this important vaccination day."

Carquinez Village, the Benicia senior support organization, worked to help facilitate seniors getting their vaccines.

"Carquinez Village is delighted the City of Benicia has stepped up to serve the older adults in our community," Carquinez Village president Susan Neuhaus said.

"The opportunity to host the clinic came about quickly and involves nearly every City of Benicia staff member," said City Manager Erik Upson. "We will assess the event on Tuesday and use that to improve the experience when we host the follow-up clinic to administer the second dose on March 2."

The city thanked Solano Public Health, Kaiser Permanente, SolTrans, Medic Ambulance, Carquinez Village, Valero Benicia Refinery, Rotary Club of Benicia and numerous community volunteers for "their generous assistance in making the clinic possible."

Solano Public Health is working to schedule additional events as vaccine stock becomes available, and those aged 75 and above who are interested in future Benicia clinics may leave their name and contact info online. City staff will reach out if another local clinic is scheduled.

Information about COVID-19 vaccinations in Solano County and announcements of additional clinics are available on the county's website.