SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – UC San Diego Health is expanding its vaccination efforts and began vaccinating patients over the age of 65 against COVID-19 on Thursday, marking the beginning of a new phase in the region’s vaccine launch.
UC San Diego Health has now moved to Phase 1B-Tier 1, which includes people aged 65 and over. And those at risk of exposure to work in education, childcare, emergency services and food and agriculture.
The plan is to start immunizing 500 patients a day. And due to a limited amount of vaccines, these doses will go to patients whose medical history makes them particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.
“Eligible patients will receive a direct invitation to be vaccinated through the electronic medical record or a direct call from their healthcare provider. Patients are asked to wait for their vaccination invitations to avoid overwhelming telephone lines and to host services and care. continue “, according to a statement from UCSD.
At a news conference Wednesday, San Diego County leaders said the county is still trying to vaccinate everyone in Phase 1A, which consists of health workers and staff.
Supervisory Board Chairman Nathan Fletcher said the county should also build a large-scale distribution system and have enough staff to administer vaccines. There are plans to add super vaccination sites in South Bay, North County and East County.
For now, vaccine doses are still intended primarily for San Diego County nursing home residents and health care workers, the state’s highest vaccination group.
Scripps Health, Sharp Healthcare and Kaiser said they are still working on eligible Phase 1A health workers.