Stanislaus County Health Services Agency’s Public Health Division received its first allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine in mid-December. The first delivery contained 3,900 doses and was made available to those identified under Phase 1a Tier 1 of the COVID-19 vaccine plan by the federal government and California Department of Public Health, which includes Acute Hospital Health Care Workers who are most at risk of exposure.

“This is a great day, and a rare glimmer of hope during these difficult times,” said Public Health Officer, Dr. Julie Vaishampayan. “The vaccine will be a vital component of ending this pandemic and restoring our communities.”

Stanislaus County remains in the first tier distribution phase.

The County expects to place weekly requests to CDPH for vaccine allocations and is prepared to distribute all vaccines as defined by CDPH. It will still be a few months before the vaccine is broadly available to everyone. It is vital that everyone, even those vaccinated, continue the use of primary prevention measures, such as staying home as much as possible, wearing a mask, physical distancing, and washing hands often.

Stanislaus County Public Health continues to work closely with all partners in the Emergency Operations Center to address the COVID-19 pandemic through guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health, and other partners.