The cities of Berkeley and Albany work with Alameda County and Curative, Inc. to open a mass vaccination site for locals 75 years and older this week. The North County Mass Vaccination Site will be located in the northern parking lot of the Golden Gate Fields racetrack just off Buchanan Street. Complete information from the City of Berkeley, including the appointment request form, appears below. See Berkeleyside’s COVID-19 vaccination questions for answers to many common questions.
Residents of Berkeley and Alameda County who are at least 75 years old can sign up on Friday, Feb. 5 for one of a limited series of drive-by vaccinations for COVID-19.
These vaccinations, coordinated by the City of Berkeley at a site in Albany, are in line with state guidelines and are aimed at the ages most vulnerable to hospitalization and death from COVID-19 disease.
These vaccinations are only available to people who want to get their first dose. Curative, Inc., the provider, will add those with appointments to their notification system for second appointments.
The vaccinations will take place from 5 February to Monday 8 February on the premises at the foot of Buchanan Street near the Albany Ball. Make your appointments online. The form asks for basic demographic information to be eligible for an appointment. A confirmation email will be sent to anyone making an appointment.
Transportation Option for Berkeley Elderly, Disabled
For Berkeley residents who need physical assistance to get to the site, a city-backed ride service can help people reach their appointments at $ 15.
Once you have an appointment, contact Easy Does It at 510-704-2111 to be eligible, register for services and plan a trip.
Easy Does It will ask health examination questions to ensure the safety of the driver and the safety of the driver. Drivers wear personal protective equipment and face masks are required of riders.
Sign up for notice lists with limited vaccine supply
The limited national vaccine supply means that it will take many months for vaccines to reach the general population.
No matter what your age, you can prepare by understanding the process of your healthcare provider and you can sign up on notice lists based on your suitability.
The Berkeley City List will be used to notify people when new vaccination opportunities are made available by Berkeley Public Health.
Major healthcare providers, such as Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health, receive their own limited vaccine supply through the state and begin appointments for members 75 years or older:
- Sutter Health patients who are healthcare workers or 75 years or older can schedule appointments online or by calling 0844-987-6115.
- Kaiser Permanente has stated that it will make direct contact with members aged 75 and over when appointments are available. Kaiser Permanent members who are healthcare workers, emergency medical services providers or long-term care patients can schedule an e-visit to request an appointment with the vaccine.
The limited supply of vaccines is also distributed through other channels, such as a federal program for long-term care facilities and the health service for UC Berkeley.
No matter what list you are on, keep an eye on your email and take immediate action when you receive a notification that you are eligible to make an appointment.
Everyone will eventually get the vaccine, but it will take time
These safe, very effective vaccines are free to the public. As federal supplies eventually increase, COVID-19 vaccines will also be available to everyone.
The two currently approved vaccines – Moderna and Pfizer – are for adults and each requires two doses to be approximately 95% effective.
All tools needed to end the pandemic
Each vaccination helps build our resistance to the virus, even though it still kills thousands of people across the country.
The vaccine is not a panacea. We must use all the tools that the CDC has identified to fight this pandemic. Everyone – even those vaccinated – should wear masks and avoid gatherings. Many people remain vulnerable.
Every time you wear a mask, avoid a gathering, distance yourself from other households or get a vaccine, you are helping our community.
Ask your healthcare provider about vaccination schedules. Sign up for the notice list if you want to receive information from the city of Berkeley as fitness increases or appointments become available.