Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Fallbrook health district still unable to announce local vaccine events

County shortages continuing to cause distribution problems

It will still be some time before the Fallbrook Regional Health District can hold local vaccination events, CEO Rachel Mason said in an email update.

Mason said on Feb. 26 that she expected to be able to announce sometime in the following week that county vaccine supply had opened up enough for the health district to begin vaccinating Fallbrook-area residents but, on March 5, Mason said county officials had told her that in fact it would take longer for enough vaccines to be available.

"We are still being told by county sources that the lack of vaccines is the cause for our clinic dates not being rescheduled," Mason said in a March 5 email update. "The last information I was provided this week, (officials) indicated it may be another two weeks before we are moved up on the schedule."

Mason said the health district has reached out to Supervisor Jim Desmond's office for assistance in getting vaccine supplies for Fallbrook.

"(Desmond's staff) have responded with support and have indicated they will work on our behalf," Mason said.

She said the health district's community partners have also been impacted by shortages and have not been able to offer any new vaccination options.

"A few small, very targeted 'pop-up' events are being offered at Senior Housing complexes," Mason said. "These events will not be advertised to the public at large, however if you are or have a senior with limited mobility or ability to drive, please contact the Foundation for Senior Care at 760-723-7570 for support."

Mason urged Fallbrookians to "(p)lease continue to be patient and don't give up."

Shortages were still causing problems at county vaccine sites last week – the Scripps Del Mar vaccination super station was shut down on Saturday due to a lack of vaccines, and though it reopened on Sunday, appointments over the weekend were only for second doses.

The county's existing doses will be largely reserved for second doses. Other vaccination super stations, including the one at Cal State San Marcos, and smaller points of distribution will continue to administer second doses this weekend and into next week, as supplies allow.

For those in the Fallbrook-Bonsall area, FRHD was directing local residents to try seeking vaccines through Tri-City Medical Center or Rite Aid.

Tri-City now has twice weekly vaccination clinics, and appointments are released at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, according to FRHD. Appointments can be made at https://book.appointment-plus.com/ctbdj1vx/#/.

FRHD said Rite Aid is currently only doing first dose appointments and has had to cancel many appointments, but recommended local residents check their website (https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifier) to see if new appointments become available.

Palomar Health also opened up a vaccination clinic in downtown Escondido, which will be open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with appointments required.. The hospital's website notes that appointments may be cancelled if supply is unavailable.Palomar Health's vaccination webpage can be accessed at https://www.palomarhealth.org/about-us/covid-vaccine.

Mason also said in her email update that https://www.vaccinateca.com/near-me?zip=92028 is a helpful webpage to utilize for locating commercial pharmacy and similar vaccination sites.

San Diego County's vaccination webpage can be found at Vaccinationsuperstationsd.com.

And Mason noted that with the county opening Tier 1B-2 for vaccinations on Feb. 27, teachers and education staff are now eligible to receive vaccines. They can do so through the California Schools Volunteer Employee Benefits Association system at https://vebavaccinates.com/site/vaccination.

Vaccines for law enforcement personnel will be organized through Scripps Health, Mason said.

Apart from vaccinations, FRHD announced one COVID-19 testing event in March, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 26 at Vallecitos Elementary School, 5211 5th St., Rainbow.

Registration opens three days prior to the testing date, according to FRHD. Appointments, which the health district said are "advised, not required," can be made by calling 211 or online at COVIDtest.SanDiegoCounty.gov.

Will Fritz can be reached by email at [email protected].

 

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