A partnership of doctors, nurses, community volunteers together with a local seniors organization that recently mobilized to bring COVID-19 vaccines to over 500 seniors was halted two weeks later, while the county reviewed the operation, leaving seniors confused and frustrated as they scrambled to find their second doses within the recommended timeframe. Now however, the lead doctor has been cleared of any wrongdoing and plans to continue with similar community clinics when they can access vaccine.
Dr. Rebecca Parish was exonerated late Friday, Jan. 29, according to her attorney Dan Horowitz who explained the clinic had been put on hold as a result of a misunderstanding with another doctor over county rules. The matter was brought to the attention of county officials, who stopped the operation while they reviewed the records.
This coincided with the county changing operations to open several large vaccination sites.
During that time it left many seniors with considerable anxiety about finding the correct second dose within the recommended three-week timeframe since the follow-up drive-through clinic at Stanley Middle School has been canceled. Many spent hours on the phone trying to arrange next shots for themselves.
The county has since stated it will honor all follow-up doses and those who received their first shot at Stanley will receive emails and phone calls with more information on receiving a second dose. Those 75 and older will be contacted by John Muir to arrange follow up appointments, and those 74 and younger will be contacted by the county. Appointments will be made within the timeframe allowable for the vaccine to be effective.
Lamorinda Village Operations Manager Kathryn Ishizu says they were proud to have participated in such an uplifting community event. "We are grateful to the incredible clinicians and volunteers who gave their time and effort to this free clinic for seniors," she said, noting that there was a palpable sense of relief and a feeling of hope that permeated everyone the entire weekend. "Seniors and volunteers came away feeling as if there is a light at the end of the dark pandemic tunnel."
Lamorinda Village received many calls and emails from grateful seniors complimenting the smoothly run operation. "If anything, the county should emulate your first dose drive though clinic," said one.
Mike Doyle and his wife, both 75 years old, attended the first clinic. "The volunteers were friendly, informed and Dr. Parish was everywhere ensuring that all went according to plan," said Doyle. "I can't imagine how a single thing could have been done better -simply outstanding."
Contra Costa Health Services spokesperson Scott Alonso says that CCHS has a special interest in providing for the health of the most vulnerable communities and those who have been historically marginalized. "As we continue to develop infrastructure and evaluate the need for future community clinics and mass vaccine events, we will do so with a steadfast commitment to equity and service to the communities hardest hit by this pandemic."
In fact Horowitz says his client, Parish, would like to bring this community model to minority and marginalized communities in the near future.
Drive-through clinic participants can call a hotline for up-to-date information at (925) 284-0835.
The CCCHS vaccine call center phone number is 833-VAX-COCO.
Dr. Rebecca Parish was exonerated late Friday, Jan. 29, according to her attorney Dan Horowitz who explained the clinic had been put on hold as a result of a misunderstanding with another doctor over county rules. The matter was brought to the attention of county officials, who stopped the operation while they reviewed the records.
This coincided with the county changing operations to open several large vaccination sites.
During that time it left many seniors with considerable anxiety about finding the correct second dose within the recommended three-week timeframe since the follow-up drive-through clinic at Stanley Middle School has been canceled. Many spent hours on the phone trying to arrange next shots for themselves.
The county has since stated it will honor all follow-up doses and those who received their first shot at Stanley will receive emails and phone calls with more information on receiving a second dose. Those 75 and older will be contacted by John Muir to arrange follow up appointments, and those 74 and younger will be contacted by the county. Appointments will be made within the timeframe allowable for the vaccine to be effective.
Lamorinda Village Operations Manager Kathryn Ishizu says they were proud to have participated in such an uplifting community event. "We are grateful to the incredible clinicians and volunteers who gave their time and effort to this free clinic for seniors," she said, noting that there was a palpable sense of relief and a feeling of hope that permeated everyone the entire weekend. "Seniors and volunteers came away feeling as if there is a light at the end of the dark pandemic tunnel."
Lamorinda Village received many calls and emails from grateful seniors complimenting the smoothly run operation. "If anything, the county should emulate your first dose drive though clinic," said one.
Mike Doyle and his wife, both 75 years old, attended the first clinic. "The volunteers were friendly, informed and Dr. Parish was everywhere ensuring that all went according to plan," said Doyle. "I can't imagine how a single thing could have been done better -simply outstanding."
Contra Costa Health Services spokesperson Scott Alonso says that CCHS has a special interest in providing for the health of the most vulnerable communities and those who have been historically marginalized. "As we continue to develop infrastructure and evaluate the need for future community clinics and mass vaccine events, we will do so with a steadfast commitment to equity and service to the communities hardest hit by this pandemic."
In fact Horowitz says his client, Parish, would like to bring this community model to minority and marginalized communities in the near future.
Drive-through clinic participants can call a hotline for up-to-date information at (925) 284-0835.
The CCCHS vaccine call center phone number is 833-VAX-COCO.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA