Santa Barbara County anticipates opening up COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to community members aged 12 and older this week, as health officials report that the lowest vaccination rates and highest case rates are among young people in the county.
While eight out of 10 community members 65 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, just four in 10 of those aged 16 to 29 have received a dose, Public Health Director Dr. Van Do-Reynoso said at a May 7 press conference.
“Now that vaccine supply is plentiful, you can grab an appointment anywhere in our county,” she said. “Everyone 16 and above is eligible. It is critically important for you to make your vaccine appointment as soon as possible.”
Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg said at the conference that over the past two weeks, the age group with the most positive COVID-19 tests in the county were those under 18, followed by those aged 20 to 30.
“We have seen several outbreaks at various high schools across the county,” Ansorg said. “Most of them were related to student athletes, but also to some unsanctioned parties and social events.”
At the May 7 conference, Ansorg said he anticipates those 12 and older will be eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine at community clinics as soon as May 13. On May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the Pfizer emergency use authorization to include those 12 through 15.
“Having students vaccinated will greatly improve their safety, and it will help the whole community to get closer to a state of herd immunity,” he said. “Later, in September, we are hoping the Pfizer vaccine to become available to all children 2 years and older.”
There are currently a number of walk-in options throughout the county for eligible residents to get vaccinated.
“You can just walk in at any of our county Public Health vaccine clinics, and others as well: pharmacies are offering walk-ins and other clinics throughout the county. … Hospitals and community centers are also offering,” Do-Reynoso said. “So I encourage you to visit our website so you can see where all the opportunities lie.”
The county’s mobile clinic program continues to bring doses directly to people. In the three weeks since it began, Public Health held mobile clinics at 58 sites including agricultural workplaces, community centers, community-based organizations, faith settings, low-income housing complexes, shelters, and other congregate settings.
“We are expanding our sites to include farmers’ markets, swap meets, and open air markets,” Do-Reynoso added. “And again, these sites will not require an appointment, so if you see us at the farmers’ market, swap meets, or open air markets, or anywhere at any of these sites above, please grab your shot.”
This article appears in May 13-20, 2021.