Santa Clara County officials announced Thursday that all county residents age 65 and older can be vaccinated against COVID-19, regardless of their insurance or health care provider.
The “no wrong door” strategy is set up to ensure that residents of the counties that are most vulnerable to the virus receive a vaccine as quickly and easily as possible.
“The complex system of distribution and allocation of vaccines in the state, combined with the lack of vaccine supply, has led to an unequal development of vaccines in the county, depending on where people receive their medical care,” said the county executive director, Dr. Jeff Smith, in a statement. The “wrong approach” we implement is designed to get vaccines available in the arms as quickly and fairly as possible to save lives. ”
According to the county, 81% of COVID-19 deaths in the county were people aged 65 and over.
“We must give priority to vaccinating those most at risk of death or serious illness,” said county health officer Dr. Sara Cody in a statement. “We are eager to vaccinate a much wider segment of the population and we are ready to do it immediately. “
County residents are encouraged to visit sccfreevax.org to make vaccination schedules.