Vaccine appointments now covering demand

Canyon Lake’s eligible population is able to now make appointments without a dash for the computer when availability is added, according to Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Geoffrey Leung. Dr. Leung told the Riverside County Board of Supervisors Tuesday that there are now more appointments available than there is demand.

“The good news is that the vaccine supply is improving overall,” Dr. Leung said. “Previously, we had an undersupply of vaccine compared to the demand. Presently, we actually have more (appointment) slots than we have demand.”

He said that he believes at least half of the county population now qualifies to receive the vaccine. In addition to those 65 and older, there are many others who have been authorized by the state to obtain the vaccine, including those with underlying health conditions and those with specific essential jobs.

COVID-19 cases throughout Riverside County are decreasing and particularly in Canyon Lake. This past week saw only six new cases within the city and no deaths. Canyon Lake, as compared to the other 27 cities in the county, has the ninth lowest number of COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began a year ago. Only 8.43% of the city’s population contracted the virus and 1.35% died from it.

Riverside County Department of Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday that the county has administered about 821,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Approximately 265,000 individuals have been fully vaccinated with either both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or the single dose of Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine.

“We want to make sure that we’re making the best use of all of our available vaccine slots as each of these represents an opportunity to keep people healthy,” Dr. Leung said.

He told the board that a dozen mass vaccination sites are open countywide in addition to the doses that are also available in the county through a network of “community providers,” including Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart, that are getting doses through the federal government.

Eligible individuals in the county can contact those community providers, including their health providers, by contacting them directly for an appointment. Appointments at one of the county-run mass vaccination sites can be made by going online at www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine. Seniors ages 65 and older who need help making an appointment should call 211 or 951-329-4703.

An appointment and ID is required to be vaccinated. Workers in eligible categories also need a worker ID badge or letter from their employer. Those seeking to qualify in one of the high-risk health categories need to just affirm the condition and do not need records or notes from their doctors.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said he expects all California adults to be eligible for the vaccine within the next four and a half weeks.