Fresno man receives call to set wrong date for COVID vaccine appointment

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) – Keith Brown says it was a call he never expected, but is lucky he can understand.

He was waiting to hear from the Fresno County Public Health Department about his next appointment for a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

He got the call on Thursday, but in Spanish it told him he wouldn’t get his next dose for several months.

“He said back to Junio, which is June 2, when I was told it would be February 3,” he said.

Fresno County public health officials confirmed on Friday that they had been made aware of the appeal notification and identified the problem, adding that patients should continue to follow the second regimen posted on the vaccine.

Brown, however, says that while the vaccination was quick and easy, getting more information about a second dose is a challenge.

“A 75-year-old in my cohort should need computer skills, fluency in Spanish and the ability to be perseverant to get vaccinated against COVID, which is a matter of life and death,” he said.

County Iterim health official Dr Rais Vohra said the department’s communications team is working on where people can sign up for vaccinations.

He says he knows there have been problems, and he hopes the state’s new partnership with Blue Shield Insurance to lead the vaccine rollout will mean more resources, such as IT support.

“I wish we had a better system. I know it’s frustrating for those trying to reach out. We are determined not to leave people behind. We know people are anxious because they have received their first dose. They don’t. I don’t know where to get their second dose, “he says.

Vohra also says they have started booking second dose appointments for patients when they are seen for the first dose.

Meanwhile, Brown says he finally has the right information for his next dose, which is next week.