BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Kern County Public Health announced new sectors including agriculture workers, educators, childcare workers and emergency workers will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting next week.
During the press briefing Friday, county officials pushed that the county is prepared to vaccinate the county at a rate of 45,000 doses a week if the county had enough of the vaccine. County Chief Administrative Officer Ryan Alsop said the county has built the infrastructure to do so, but the state has not provided the doses of vaccine.
"We shouldn't have to make choices on who gets these vaccines among these very important groups of people in our community," Alsop said. "we need more vaccines."
Public health said only 35% of people who are 65 and older have been vaccinated. Alsop said those 65 and older and those with underlying health conditions still need to be prioritized.
Alsop said starting next week, the state will take over the appointment scheduling for vaccination sites through its My Turn registration process.
While agriculture workers, educators, childcare workers and emergency workers are set to be eligible for the vaccine next week, Public Health Director Brynn Carrigan said the states My Turn system has not added them to the drop-down list of eligible registration options. She said it is unknown when the state will update the eligibility information in its software.
To check whether you are eligible you can check My Turn or call 1-833-422-4255.
