Santa Clara County and other areas are emerging for a big wave of people seeking COVID-19 vaccinations, when residents 16 and older are eligible on April 15.
But health officials are also dealing with the sudden drop in vaccine supply as Johnson & Johnson has cut its nationwide supply from about 5 million doses to just 700,000.
Friday was normal at the vaccination site of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
But what has become even more erratic and unpredictable is the supply of vaccines.
Congressman Ro Khanna came to the vaccination site because Santa Clara County workers and volunteers are in the middle of a strange dilemma, an expected increase in more people seeking vaccinations while getting less vaccine overall.
“I understand and believe there will be many more photos to come in the next two to three weeks. There was a shortage two to three weeks ago, but the situation is improving, ”he said.
But the Congressman acknowledges that the Johnson and Johnson shortage is serious. Santa Clara County received more than 9,000 Johnson & Johnson shots last week, and this time there will be less than 3,000.
Facebook is gearing up to set up a clinic on its site Saturday morning to help the Ravenswood Family Health Center. Fortunately, it will manage Moderna shoots, as Johnson & Johnson’s San Mateo County offering jumped from 17,000 to just 500 last week.
“This health center supports our vulnerable population near the Campus. So, with the vaccine shortage, we felt it was crucial for us to do our part and support their efforts, ”said Ashley Quintana, Public Policy Manager at Facebook.
Facebook also has big plans to help Gavin Newsom government and nonprofits set up clinics in Central and Southern California. But wherever the locations are, progress still depends on the vaccine supply.