Riverside County opened 25,000 COVID-19 vaccine appointments on Thursday, Jan. 28, specifically for residents 85 and older.
The new appointments can be booked online by visiting the country’s public health website. The shots start on Friday 29 January and will be given every day until Monday 8 February. Elderly people of this age have already been eligible for the vaccine, but these events include appointments just for that.
The vaccine clinics will be in Hemet, Perris, Beaumont, Lake Elsinore, Menifee and Indio.
At the Tuesday, Jan. 26 meeting, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors spoke about the need to prioritize senior citizens when it comes to vaccines. Supervisor Jeff Hewitt quoted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as more likely to die or be hospitalized due to COVID-19.
“These factors determine for me who should get this vaccine according to any other criteria,” Hewitt said. “It should bring out the oldest people, our most vulnerable members of society, because I want to save lives.”
Elderly people receiving appointments must provide proof of age (a driver’s license or California identity card) and must have an appointment when they arrive at the clinic, said state spokeswoman Brooke Federico. Those without proof of age or an appointment will be turned down.
They can also call 2-1-1 for an appointment at one of these places.
If all appointments are filled, seniors will be placed on an interest list and will be notified when more appointments are available.
The excavation clinics will be open from Friday 29 January to Monday 8 February from 08:30 to 16:30 at the following locations:
- Citrus Hills High School, 18150 Wood Road, Perris
- Diamond Stadium, Diamond Drive 500, Lake Elsinore (transit clinic)
- Tahquitz High School, 4425 Titan Trail, Hemet
- Indio Fairgrounds (Fullenwider Auditorium), 46350 Arabia St.
- Perris Fair, 18700 Lake Perris Drive, (drive-through clinic)
- Corona High School, 1150 W. 10th St.
- Heritage High School, 26001 Briggs Road, Menifee
Staff Writer Jeff Horseman contributed to this report.