It’s been two months since the first Californian received a COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 5 million of you have since managed to get the coveted chance.
Anyone who has succeeded – or ruthlessly reconnected and refreshed until their fingers were numb – knows how crazy it can be an appointment.
And as we enter month number three on your quest for a coronavirus vaccine, the good news is that there are more and more places to get a chance. But figuring out where to go and how to sign up becomes even more confusing as the options increase. If it’s like you’re in a cruel board game – “CVS is just closed. Go back three spaces, then drive 80 km from Gilroy to Palo Alto ” – here’s a guide to navigating the vaccine game in the Bay.
First, a few caveats: Healthcare providers regularly update their registration instructions so that guidance can change quickly. We’ve also heard of issues with people signing up online – especially with CAPTCHA, which uses computers to establish that you’re human. Try, if possible, from browsers over and, if that does not work, from devices. Some platforms seem to work smoothly on a laptop, but terribly on mobile devices.
OK, now that it’s out of the way, let’s get started.
Step 1: See if you are currently eligible for a vaccine.
California has created different phases for the distribution of vaccines. At present, health care workers, long-term carers, aged 65 and over and people working in education and child care, emergency services and food and agriculture are eligible.
You can stay informed by checking and logging in to covid19.ca.gov to be notified when you are eligible for myturn.ca.gov. A warning: just because you are technically eligible does not mean you can get a vaccine right away. The supply was a major bottleneck.
Step 2: If you are eligible, regardless of where you live, first contact your primary care provider or hospital. Here is a list of what the major providers of Bay Area patients are currently telling us.
Kaiser Permanente
Who: individuals 75+
How: Kaiser will send a letter or an email to patients who are eligible for an appointment. It no longer provides a phone number for people to proactively make an appointment. Non-members who are 75 years old can call 866-454-8855 to make an appointment. Kaiser is one of the only providers that still restricts access to 75 and older. Kaiser says the cut is because the vaccine supply is currently very limited.
More information on Kaiser’s website
Sutter Health (Palo Alto Medical Foundation)
Who: Patients 65+
How: Log in via the My Health Online portal or call 844-987-6115
More information on Sutter’s website
Stanford Healthcare
Who: individuals 65+
How: Log in online through the MyHealth portal or call 650-498-9000. Stanford has vaccination sites on campus, in the East Bay and in the South Bay.
More information at Stanford’s website
El Camino Health
Who: Santa Clara County residents 65+
How to: Join ElCaminoHealth.org Online
More information on El Camino Health’s website
John Muir Health
Who: Patients 75+; Patients 65+ start February 15
How: JMH says it will contact patients to make an appointment through patient portal messages, emails, text messages and phone calls.
More information on John Muir Health’s website
VA Northern California Health Care System
Who: Veterans 65+, about hemodialysis or chemotherapy, organ transplants, with ALS or homeless
How: through you my healtheVeterinarian Account or by calling 800-382-8387
More information on the VA’s website
Step 3: ‘If you are unable to get a vaccine through your healthcare provider, but the state says you are eligible (say you are a 68-year-old Kaiser patient), consult your country or you may be vaccinated.’ a province website.
Some provinces, such as Santa Clara, have said residents of the province can sign up for a shot through them, regardless of whether and where they have private health insurance. Others, such as San Mateo, direct people to private healthcare providers. Here’s what Bay Area Provinces says.
Alameda County
Alameda County advises people to contact their healthcare provider. Eligible residents can also be vaccinated at the Oakland Coliseum, which is a large FEMA / state vaccination site that will be open on Tuesday, February 16th. Sign up for MyTurn.CA.gov in the coming days.
More information on Alameda County’s website
Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County plans to plan vaccinations for residents 65 and older. Qualifying residents can fill out an online form to request an appointment. Residents without internet access or who are having difficulty using the form can call 833-829-2626.
More information at Contra Costa County’s website
San Francisco County
San Francisco offers vaccines for 65+ and has several major vaccination stations, including Moscone Center South, City College, and San Francisco State University. Book online at sf.gov or call 833-422-4255.
More information at San Francisco County’s website
San mateo county
San Mateo County advises residents to check with their healthcare provider about the availability of vaccines.
More information at San Mateo County’s website.
Santa Clara County
The province vaccinates residents aged 65+ at a number of locations, including the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, Levi’s Stadium, Valley Health Center Gilroy and the Mountain View Community Center. Visit vax.sccgov.org to make an appointment online or call 408-970-2000. The province also offers mobile clinics in East San Jose and Gilroy where residents can drop in to receive a vaccine without an appointment.
More information on Santa Clara County’s website
Step 4: If you have not yet had the good fortune to schedule an appointment (say you are a Kaiser patient in the late 60’s living in San Mateo County), consult your local pharmacy; some large chains are starting to offer vaccinations in California.
CVS
CVS offered coronavirus vaccines in some stores on Friday, February 12th. You can book at CVS.com, via the CVS Pharmacy app or by calling 800-746-7287. The locations will change depending on the vaccine supply, but the vaccine is expected to be available at CVS stores across the Bay.
Rite Aid
Rite Aid offers vaccines at various locations in the Bay. Book online at RiteAid.com
/ pharmacy / covid qualifier.
Walgreens
Walgreens also offers vaccines, including in the provinces of San Francisco and Contra Costa. Book online at Walgreens.com.
Grocery Stores
Some grocery stores also offer the chance. Visit mhealthappointments.com/covidappt to see if a vaccine is near you.
Do you have a story to tell about your success or frustration getting vaccinated in the Bay? Send us the details by filling out the form below.