Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Arrive In Riverside County
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — More appointments will open for free COVID-19 vaccine clinics after Riverside County received additional doses this week, but the available slots are few, it was announced Wednesday.
Scheduling of appointments (required) begins at noon Thursday, Jan. 21, for six upcoming county-operated clinics at Lake Elsinore's Diamond Stadium, as well as county fairgrounds in Perris and Indio. Only people 65 and older, and people who work in high-risk settings (all tiers in phase 1A, and tier 1 of phase 1B) are eligible to receive the vaccine.
The appointment scheduling opened after Riverside County announced it received 26,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week. Out of the allocation, however, just 3,900 doses will be used across the county-run vaccine clinics. The remaining doses are for community partners, according to the county. See a list of community partners here.
"Supply of vaccine continues to be limited and demand for vaccine high," the county said in a news release.
Since vaccine distribution was announced last month, in total the county has received a total of 157,775 doses as of early Wednesday afternoon, according to Riverside University Health System data.
The upcoming clinics are scheduled Jan. 22 and 23 at the Diamond Stadium, 500 Diamond Drive, Lake Elsinore, CA, 92530. The Jan. 22 clinic is for those 65 and older only (appointment still required).
Clinics are scheduled Jan. 24 and 25 at the Perris Fairgrounds, 18700 Lake Perris Drive, Perris, CA, 92571. The Jan. 25 clinic is for those 65 and older only (appointment still required).
Clinics are also scheduled Jan. 23 and 24 at the Indio Fairgrounds in the Fullenwider Auditorium, 46350 Arabia Street, Indio, CA, 92201.
All six clinics will operate from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“This is important news to so many of our residents who are eager to be vaccinated,” said Board Chair Karen Spiegel, Second District Supervisor. “We also ask for your patience. We continue to have very limited vaccine quantities and a high demand within the community for it. The county is distributing vaccine as quickly as we receive it.”
Those who want to get vaccinated can visit the Riverside University Health System-Public Health vaccine website www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine starting at noon Thursday for an appointment. Those over 65 years of age who need help registering can call 2-1-1.
The clinics will provide vaccines free of charge, however, those who show up must register prior to arrival, have an appointment, and show proof of eligibility (work badge, business identification or letter of proof from employer). Medical insurance information will be requested, although not required.
Those 65 and older must have proof of age, such as a driver’s license. Seniors who need help registering can call 2-1-1.
To see the description of the various tiers and to sign up for an appointment, click https://www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine.
This article originally appeared on the Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Patch
