People in San Luis Obispo County who have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine may need to wait a few more weeks to get their second dose.
In a statement today, the County health department says that right now there are more people waiting for their second dose than the County has in stock. However, CDC guidelines say delaying the second dose for up to six weeks does not impact efficacy.
"Do not be alarmed if you cannot receive your second dose of vaccine on the exact day that you are eligible to," says Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Public Health Officer. "While the goal is to administer second doses close to the recommended interval, a few-weeks delay poses no health risks to recipients and will not require that they restart the vaccine series."
Local health officials say shipments of vaccine doses are received each week. As of Friday, January 22, the County received 9,035 doses and administered 10,539 doses.
CDC guidance for vaccine administration says that second doses of vaccine may be administered up to six week after the first dose. However, no earlier than the required waiting period (three weeks for Pfizer, four weeks for Moderna).