Contra Costa County officials announced on Monday the county now has enough COVID-19 vaccine supply to make doses available to anyone, regardless of whether they live or work in the county.
Since the county received its first vaccine shipments in December, doses have only been available to those age 16 and older who live or work within the county. Even as the county's supply of vaccine surged in late March and early April, those guidelines remained in place.
Contra Costa opened vaccine doses to everyone 16 and older on March 30, roughly two weeks before the state's April 15 target to do so.
Now, with more than 1.1 million doses administered and over 70% of county residents 16 and up having received at least one dose, county officials said on Monday that supply has officially surpassed demand within the county, with some appointments at county-run vaccine clinics going unfilled in the past two weeks.
"We've always said that this virus doesn't recognize borders," Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said in a statement. "Now we can say that Contra Costa County no longer cares about borders when it comes to getting people vaccinated against COVID."
The expansion of vaccine eligibility will not hamper the county's ability to continue vaccinating people who live and work in Contra Costa County, according to officials.
Vaccine appointments can be booked online.
The county also has several walk-in clinics available.
Related
