Updated January 14, 2021
Q: When will I be able to get a vaccine?
A: The COVID-19 vaccine is being made available to residents in phases as directed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD). As there is a limited amount of supply available, decisions about who and which groups get vaccines are not made by El Camino Health.
Currently, healthcare workers eligible for vaccination in Phase 1A, as defined by Santa Clara County, and all County residents age 75 and older are now eligible to receive a vaccine. If you qualify, please make an appointment online for a vaccine. Please do not call, and walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
While the goal is to get a COVID-19 vaccine distributed as soon as possible, it is important to note that not everyone will be able to get vaccinated right away. However, available doses of vaccine will substantially increase in 2021.
Q: How do we know these vaccines are safe?
A: Prior to the FDA granting Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), independent panels review the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. These panels include independent experts retained by the vaccine maker; by an FDA scientific staff; and by an additional independent panel of experts convened by the FDA.
Serious safety concerns related to the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines have not been reported.
Q: When will the COVID-19 vaccine be more widely available?
A: For the latest information on vaccine availability and which groups are being vaccinated, please visit the Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) vaccine web page. All Hospitals, including El Camino Health, are administering vaccines based on priority groups as directed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and SCCPHD, the agencies responsible for rolling the vaccine out to the public.
While the goal is to get a COVID-19 vaccine distributed as soon as possible, it is important to note that not everyone will be able to get vaccinated right away.
Available doses of vaccine will substantially increase in 2021.
Q: How can I stay updated on the COVID-19 vaccine?
A: El Camino Health will provide reliable information about COVID-19 and vaccines as more information becomes available.
Updates with more answers to questions and details about the vaccine and its pending distribution are available from other trusted sources, such as the FDA, the CDC, the CDPH and SCCPHD. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine process, FAQs are available on the CDC’s website.
