Second COVID-19 Shot: Riverside County Reaching Out To Residents

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — In an effort to ensure that people who have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine get their second shot, Riverside County health officials announced Monday that recipients are being contacted for an appointment.

The contacts will be made only to people who received their first shot at a county-operated clinic; residents who received their first dose through a private provider should contact that same provider to schedule a second dose.

County officials said they will reach out to residents through "the contact method" provided when they made their first appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. Officials will provide instructions for receiving the second dose when they contact recipients.

Pfizer recommends the second dose be received three weeks following the initial dose, while Moderna recommends four weeks after the first shot. Current CDC guidelines allow up to 42 days for a second dose with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

"The county understands the community’s concern about getting the second dose and constantly works on securing additional doses from the state," a Riverside University Health System-Public Health statement read Monday. "At the same time, officials want residents to get vaccinated with at least a first dose for those within the current phase and tier system."

“We know there is a lot of anxiety about getting the second dose and this approach will provide ease of mind to our community with getting an appointment for the second vaccination,” said Board Chair Karen Spiegel, Second District Supervisor.

For more information, visit www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine.

Meanwhile, Riverside County reported 275,872 coronavirus cases Monday, an increase of 3,962 since Friday. The county does not provide weekend updates.

The number of reported COVID-19 deaths rose by 80 Monday to 3,171 countywide.

COVID-19 hospitalizations stood at 979 Monday, a decrease of 149 patients since Friday. That includes 268 patients being treated in intensive-care unit beds, down 22 from Friday.

The county's available ICU space remains at 0 percent, along with the 11- county Southern California region.