Vaccine Supply Outstripping Demand In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — For the first time since COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Riverside County, there are more appointment slots than there is demand for vaccination.

"We're shifting," said Riverside University Health System's Dr. Geoffrey Leung. "Vaccine supply is improving. We have more appointment slots ... than we have demand," he told the Riverside County Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning.

Leung estimated that half of all Riverside County residents are currently eligible for vaccination (see who's eligible now). Kim Saruwatari, director of public health for the county, told the board that only about 13.6 percent of county residents 16 and older have been fully vaccinated.

Saruwatari said 820,986 doses have been administered to-date to county residents.

A look at the county's vaccination portal shows many appointments available this week.

Supervisor Jeff Hewitt, 5th District, expressed concern about ensuring that every senior resident who wants the vaccine has access. Many older residents cannot navigate the online system and many may be unaware or untrusting of the county's 211 helpline. He called on county officials to do "whatever we can" to reach out to seniors, even if it means going door-to-door.

Supervisor Chuck Washington, 3rd District, agreed but acknowledged there are challenges to getting to some seniors. He spoke about an older woman who only trusted her physician, yet her doctor's office did not have the vaccine available for her.

According to Saruwatari, 38.4 percent of county residents 65 and older have been fully vaccinated.

It is expected that vaccination eligibility will expand to all Californians in coming weeks. On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom was quoted, "We're anticipating within five and a half weeks we can eliminate all of the tiering, so to speak, and make available vaccines to everybody across the spectrum because supply will exponentially increase."

To make an appointment for free vaccination in Riverside County, click here or call 211.

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