UPDATE: SLO Co. Public Health says all appointments for next week have been booked.
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ORIGINAL STORY: People 75 and older in San Luis Obispo County will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday.
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department says vaccines will be given out by appointment only at two SLO County clinics.
This age range is the first group in Phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccine distribution in SLO County. Until now, only those in Phase 1a were eligible.
“We must allocate our limited vaccine supply based on who is most at risk for serious illness or death from COVID-19,” said SLO County Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein. “Here in SLO County, more than three quarters of the people who have died from COVID-19 were age 75 or older. They are more at risk of serious illness or death than other age groups. By allowing them to get vaccinated now, we are all helping to prevent the most serious outcomes.”
Although California announced earlier this week those 65 and older could also start receiving the vaccine, SLO County says those between the ages of 65 and 74 will be included in a later part of Phase 1b.
“SLO County is home to over 26,000 residents 75 years and older, but only has enough vaccine supply next week to vaccinate 4,000 people,” health officials said. “As more vaccine becomes available, the County will aim to serve up to 1,000 people per day at each clinic.”
The Paso Robles clinic at the Paso Robles Event Center can take up to 400 appointments per day and the San Luis Obispo location can reportedly take up to 750.
When additional vaccines arrive, a third clinic in South County will open.
“Given the expected large demand, we ask that anyone eligible for vaccination who may have had COVID-19 in the past 90 days, or anyone that can safely continue to stay home without visitors, to please wait a little longer to sign up for an appointment,” Dr. Borenstein said.
Health care workers under Phase 1a can still receive vaccines.
Health officials workers say more than 11,000 people in that phase have been vaccinated locally to date.
To schedule an appointment, click here or call (805) 543-2444.