Calaveras to start offering COVID vaccine for those over 75

San Andreas, Calif .– Starting next Monday, Calaveras County plans to start offering the COVID-19 vaccine to all residents 75 years of age or older.

The announcement was made at the Supervisory Board meeting this morning during a presentation by Interim Health and Social Services Director Samuel Leach and Mark Twain Medical Center President and CEO Doug Archer.

Leach noted to date, 580 vaccines have been distributed in the county. The early groups included frontline healthcare workers, firefighters, paramedics, and assisted living centers.

As of Monday, CEO Archer noted that vaccination clinics will be set up at Mark Twain Medical Center in San Andreas for people at Level 1B, which includes anyone 75 years of age or older. More specific details will be announced later this week on how to schedule a date and where to go. The plan is to give 100 shots on the first day and then increase to around 200 to 250 per day. They will be free. The clinics will operate four days a week, depending on vaccine availability. Screening will be done to ensure those vaccinated are residents of Calaveras. Those who receive it will have a follow-up scheduled for the second dose in about four weeks.

Leach said the upcoming phase is a “big job” and praised Mark Twain Medical Center’s role as a community health partner. He also added that he was in talks with Calaveras Schools Superintendent Scott Nanik to begin offering the vaccine to teachers and staff employed in various school districts next week.

While the news regarding vaccine distribution has been positive, Leach acknowledged that emergency responders have been stressed in recent weeks due to a spike in local cases.

Asked about the increase and the challenges of contact tracing, Leach replied, “It’s a real thing and a real push. I need people to take this seriously.

He added: “You really have to proceed right now in the deepest part of the wave as if everyone you come in contact with has Covid. It’s not in March or April that we still ask people if you know anyone who has had it. Almost everyone who listens to this knows someone who has had it or has it right now. And if you’re in my shoes, you know a lot of people who are actively having Covid right now.

He stressed the importance of wearing a mask, avoiding gatherings and washing hands. He hopes the community will be in a better place in the spring.

In other business today, supervisors unanimously elected Ben Stopper as president for 2021 and new supervisor Amanda Folendorf will serve as vice president. Stopper was vice president last year.