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California is making it easier to get the COVID-19 vaccine by volunteering at COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
The state launched a volunteer page on its My Turn immunization planning system last week to streamline the volunteer process for medical workers and the general public. Counties in the state have already made the option of volunteering available, but the state’s decision is expected to make the process more accessible to people who otherwise would not be eligible for the vaccine.
“A volunteer who works a four-hour or longer shift is eligible to receive a vaccination as long as a clinic administrator provides that approval,” Dave Smith of the governor’s California volunteer office said last week during ” a meeting of the vaccine advisory committee.
Those who are interested in volunteering can do so by going to myturnvolunteer.ca.gov. Medical workers, such as doctors and nurses, will need to verify their medical license in order to register as a vaccinator, vaccine proponent, or patient observer. Non-medical volunteers, known as general support volunteers, can sign up to help with vaccine registration and administration support or as a site attendant. Some vaccination sites may require a background check.
Residents can select their shift availability by zip code and time. Potential volunteers are asked if they are prepared to travel beyond the zip code range they have selected and if they have received their vaccine.
Although volunteers are eligible for the vaccine, they are not guaranteed to receive a dose immediately after a shift. Access to same-day shooting is currently dependent on supply levels at sites managed by the county or city. If a vaccination site does not receive its scheduled allocation on a given day, volunteer time slots will be canceled.
California has stepped up access to vaccines by opening more vaccination sites and increasing the number of staff and volunteers at the sites. Dentists and pharmacists have also been recruited to help distribute vaccines.
The ability of counties to reopen now closely tied to vaccine distribution, capacity and supply levels have become much more critical. Recently, officials announced that the state is ready to administer 3 million doses each week, but the supply of doses is dependent on the federal government.
The state expects a significant increase in doses over the next few months following promises from the Biden administration and clearance of the single-use vaccine Johnson & Johnson.
To date, the state has administered more than 10.5 million doses. The number did not meet the state’s initial target of delivering around 12.5 million doses by the end of February, but the supply has steadily increased over time. .
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