San Mateo Co. Remains Restricted In Vaccine Outreach By Supply

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo County public health officials said on Thursday that the county remains constrained by lack of supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, but it would continue to align with the state’s eligibility definitions after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced sweeping new eligibility dates starting next week.

On April 1, Californians 50 and older will be eligible to be vaccinated, and on April 15, vaccinations will open to anyone 16 and older.

But, in a statement released later in the day, Louise Rogers, chief of San Mateo County Health, said that the “current supply constraints and limited advance notice make it more difficult to reach those with less flexibility in their work, care-giving, or personal responsibilities.”

Last week, the county announced that it planned to shift its focus away from mass vaccination sites and toward communities in need with targeted vaccination clinics.

Rogers added: “Our work during the last several weeks to mobilize both targeted and large-scale vaccine efforts positions us well to scale up and achieve even greater reach more quickly — if there is more supply of the vaccine.”

Earlier this month, county leaders called on the most affected areas like East Palo Alto to have greater access to the vaccine.

To date, the county has vaccinated more than 283,000 individuals, accounting for more than 44 percent of its population over 16.

For more news and information about the vaccine rollout in California, visit Patch's information hub. Also, be sure to check out How To Get The Coronavirus Vaccine In California.