Vaccine availability is all over the map in California and many residents in the state's large urban areas are pulling their hair out trying to book appointments.
But a Central Coast man, Carmel Valley’s Mike Jones, is helping to connect people with shots during his sleepless nights. He's recovering from two surgeries, so Jones is up at all hours of the night. It turns out that's exactly the time that pharmacies start booking their COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
"I can do about five a night," he told KCBS Radio. "If you’re there at about 3 o’clock in the morning and you have your ducks in a row, you can book appointments for people." That's exactly what he's been doing, too.
So far, he's helped about 30 people get appointments, and he's noticed that most of the available slots for shots are in the state's Central Valley at places like CVS and Walgreens. "Bakersfield, Sanger, Reedley, Fresno, Hanford, all wide open, all day long," he said.
Many are driving up to three hours to get a vaccine because of Jones' help.
But what's going on here?
Earlier this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed California’s disparity in vaccine availability. "That equity overlay, unquestionably, has benefitted certain parts of the state," he explained.
The state is allocating 40% of vaccine supply to the most vulnerable zip codes. Gov. Newsom said that has benefitted certain parts of the state, especially Southern California - which has the most COVID-19 cases - but also in the hard-hit Central Valley.
"If you want to drive two hours, it’s not a problem to get your shot," Jones added.
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