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Alpine County Health Department, 75-B Diamond Valley Rd., Markleeville, CA 96120 Alpine County Board of Supervisors, Phone: (530) 694-2281 District 1: January Riddle, District 2: Ron Hames, District 3: Irvin Jim, District 4: Terry Woodrow, District 5: David Griffith Tuesday January 19, 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Update Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, is quoted as saying "change is the only constant in life." That describes the world we now live in, especially as it applies to COVID-19 and the status of vaccines. Alpine County Health Department has vaccinated almost 300 persons so far, with over 100 more appointments scheduled for this week. We are only able to serve the population who reside in Alpine County (full or part- time), and others who live elsewhere but work in Alpine County in narrowly defined sectors and occupations. The COVID-19 vaccination program is a federal program, administered by each state, through local health departments, pharmacies, Indian Health Service, and hospital systems such as Kaiser, Sutter, Dignity, etc. Allocations of vaccine, and the highest priority target groups during this time where supply is less than demand, are decided at the federal and state level. This morning, the California Department of Public Health laid out a modification of vaccine priorities. The primary driver or “pillar” is a risk-based approach. Phase 1a has always included healthcare workers, including 911 responders, and that will not change. Alpine County has completed this phase, as well as the phase targeting persons in emergency services (law enforcement, fire), education, and county staff with contact with the public. However, from there on, we will be moving away from an occupational approach, and the next priority will involve age rather than occupation. That means we are targeting in order, those over 75 years of age, those 65-74 with underlying medical conditions, and then all >65 years of age. That will be Phase 1b, Tier 1. Once this has been largely accomplished, then we can move into the next tiers of essential workers, which involves things such as grocery store and food service workers, postal service, Ski Patrol, county staff without contact with the public, construction and repair, energy, IT, communications, transportation, logistics, finance, and law. Finally, all individuals age 18-64 with chronic medical conditions will come next, and lastly, anyone 18 years of age and older not already covered. Public Health Brief Richard O. Johnson, M.D., MPH Nichole Williamson Public Health Officer HHS Director Office: [PHONE REDACTED], Ext 249 Office: [PHONE REDACTED] e-mail: [EMAIL REDACTED] 24/7/365 Emergency Contact Number Dispatch: [PHONE REDACTED], Ext 330 Warm Line: [PHONE REDACTED] ---PAGE BREAK--- Alpine County Health Department, 75-B Diamond Valley Rd., Markleeville, CA 96120 Alpine County Board of Supervisors, Phone: (530) 694-2281 District 1: January Riddle, District 2: Ron Hames, District 3: Irvin Jim, District 4: Terry Woodrow, District 5: David Griffith In addition to vaccine allocated to the Health Department, the federal government has allocated vaccine to the Washoe Tribal Health Center targeting the Hung-A-Lel-Ti Community. They have established a similar list of tiers targeting essential workers and the elderly as their top priorities. Discussion is underway to collaborate with the Washoe Tribe, the Health Center and the Health Department in order to maximize the efficient utilization of resources so that available vaccine can be administered as quickly as possible. The principles we are operating under include: - ensuring we follow the direction and guidance of the state and federal government on utilization of this valuable resource (provided at no cost to the health department and to citizens). - applying said direction and guidance to the unique characteristics, risks, and vulnerabilities of residents and workers in Alpine County. - providing the required documentation to the state and federal government so that we receive the maximum number of doses allocated to Alpine County. - ensuring that we have adequate supply to give the 2 full doses in the required 28-day period, with 95% protection predicted when this schedule is followed. - having flexibility to make adjustments to the priorities based on local epidemiological data in order to respond to any developing disease outbreaks or changes in the virus and vaccine effectiveness. - the attitude that vaccine in our freezer does no one any good – it must be in the arms of recipients as soon as possible to benefit and protect our community. I started out by stating that we intend to administer over 100 doses this week. This will also be the first week we begin to administer the second doses to those individuals who received their first dose in December. Two threats to our vaccine supply have surfaced this week which may require adjustment to our plans: - The federal government has announced that the “vaccine reserve was exhausted when the administration vowed to release it, dashing hopes of expanded access”. - The California Department of Public Health announced that providers “pause administration of a single lot of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine”. That represents half of our current supply and may involve future shipments. Take Home Messages: - If you have an appointment, plan on it unless you receive a call from us. - To check on changes to eligibility and supply, go to: COVID-19 I Alpine County, CA - Official Website and check the links to the latest Public Health briefs for updated information. - When you believe you might be eligible, call the Warm Line at [PHONE REDACTED] to be interviewed. - If you have been interviewed and told you were eligible, please do not call back. Be assured that you are on a list and will be called when your turn comes up based on priorities – and supply. - Your expectation should be a call back within 24 hours. Last week, over 300 calls were received, and all were answered! Thank you for your patience! Vaccines - Coronavirus COVID-19 Response (ca.gov)