The COVID-19 virus continues to spread at alarming rates throughout Tulare County. In the midst of an ongoing surge of infections following holiday social gatherings, Tulare County Public Health releases its COVID-19 Vaccine Schedule for distribution and delivery of the much-anticipated vaccine to end the pandemic. For the COVID-19 Vaccine Schedule in Tulare County and for the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit: https://covid19.tularecounty.ca.gov/covid-19-vaccine/.
Vaccinating NOW – Phase 1A
Due to limited supplies of COVID-19 vaccine, Tulare County is currently distributing COVID-19 vaccine to those eligible in Phase 1A ONLY. The following people qualify to receive vaccinations within Phase 1A:
Phase 1A, Tier 1:
- Acute care, psychiatric, and correctional facility hospital staff
- Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, special needs group living equivalent
- Paramedics, EMTs, and others providing medical emergency services
- Dialysis centers
- Residents in long-term care settings
- Staff of residential and inpatient substance abuse disorder treatment and mental health facilities
Phase 1A, Tier 2:
- Intermediate care facilities staff
- Home health care and in-home supportive services
- Community health workers, including promotoras
- Public health field staff
- Primary care clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Centers, correctional facility clinics, and urgent care clinics
Phase 1A, Tier 3:
- Specialty health care clinics (i.e., optometry, cardiology, neurology, outpatient, surgery, physical therapy, etc.)
- Laboratory workers
- Dental and other oral health clinics
- Pharmacy staff not working in settings at higher tiers
- Mortuary service industry
If you meet the eligibility requirements for Phase1A, you can register to get vaccinated at: https://covid19.tularecounty.ca.gov/covid-19-vaccine/tulare-county-covid-19-vaccine-phase-1a/
Those receiving vaccines in Phase 1A will be required to show proof of eligibility with either of the following: employer ID badge, employer payment stub, or official letter from employer.
Vaccinating Next – Phase 1B and Phase 1C
Currently, Tulare County Public Health is ONLY vaccinating those who are eligible in Phase 1A.
Once COVID-19 vaccine supply expands and those who qualify for Phase 1A have been vaccinated, Tulare County Public Health will begin vaccinating residents that meet the requirements of distribution to Phase 1B and Phase 1C of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. Phase 1B and Phase 1C include the following:
Phase 1B
Phase 1B, Tier 1:
- Individuals aged 75 years and older
- Essential workers in the following sectors: education, childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture
Phase 1B, Tier 2:
- Individuals aged 65-74 years of age
- Essential workers in the following sectors: transportation and logistics; industrial, commercial, residential, and sheltering facilities and services; critical manufacturing
- Congregate settings: incarceration facilities and homeless
Phase 1C
- Individuals 50-64 years of age
- Persons aged 16 – 64 years with high-risk medical conditions
- Essential workers in the following sectors: water and wastewater; defense; energy; chemical and hazardous materials; communications and IT; financial services; government operations/community-based essential functions
Tulare County COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form
Tulare County residents who don’t qualify for Phase 1A can inform County health officials of their intent to get vaccinated for COVID-19 by completing the Tulare County COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form.
Residents can sign up for vaccine notifications of when they are eligible and where they can go to get vaccinated by completing the Tulare County COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form online at: https://arcg.is/0KKez4.
Until the COVID-19 vaccine is widely available, it is imperative to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Tulare County by practicing both social and physical distancing of six feet or more between persons and not participating in social gatherings of any kind. Residents must always wear a face mask or covering while in environments where physical distancing is not possible and while in public settings. In addition, everyone is encouraged to frequently wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer, regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces, and stay home if you are sick or instructed to isolate/quarantine by a medical or public health professional.
For more information about COVID-19, visit www.tchhsa.org/ncov and www.covid19.tularecounty.ca.gov