(UPDATE 10:19 am): San Luis Obispo County is making the COVID-19 vaccine eligible for all residents 50 and older.
Public health officials say an increased vaccine supply allows them to qualify for more than 50,000 community members.
On Monday, some San Luis Obispo County residents shared how ecstatic they are to be eligible for vaccination now.
“When I saw that, I felt like I was in the lottery,” said community member Melinda Luce.
[Seeing the announcement] felt great. I’m 54 so I’ve kept a close eye on the brackets and I think rightly so, there were others in line in front of me and that’s how it should have been, ”resident Jason Wells said.
For Wells, vaccination means seeing his 85-year-old father in person again.
The two have only been able to see each other on FaceTime for almost a year.
“Wow, that gives me chills to think about. I think being apart helps you appreciate when you don’t have it that often,” Wells said.
Traci Bradbury, a resident of SLO County, says she is looking forward to returning to some of her favorite local businesses.
“Now I can’t wait to go to the movies. I want to go to the Galaxy Theater in Atascadero,” Bradbury said.
For Melinda Luce, she knows what’s at stake when it comes to COVID-19, after losing her mother to the disease last summer.
She says she is excited to get to her vaccination appointment.
“I want to help everyone. I want to be part of the solution and I want this virus to end,” said Luce.
ORIGINAL STORY: San Luis Obispo County makes COVID-19 vaccine eligible for all residents 50 and older.
Public health officials say an increased vaccine supply allows them to qualify for more than 50,000 community members.
The health department says it has enough supply to administer 10,000 first doses this week and at least 10,000 doses next week.
SLO County previously opened vaccine eligibility to the following groups:
- Healthcare and community health workers
- Residents and long-term care staff
- Education and childcare workers
- Food and agricultural workers
- Emergency workers
- Public transport workers
- Cleaning employees
- Residents at high risk due to certain serious medical conditions or disabilities
- Residents who live or work in a homeless shelter or behavioral health care facility
So far, health officials say nearly 110,000 doses of vaccine have been administered in San Luis Obispo County.
Click here to find out if you qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine in SLO County and to sign up for an appointment.