County fire agencies collaborate to expand vaccine distribution
By Nick Marnell
Employees prepare for first fire-hosted vaccination site, Feb. 1 in Hercules Photo courtesy ConFire
As the county health department promised in January, firefighters have taken on a large role in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine throughout Contra Costa County. The nine county fire agencies, including the Moraga-Orinda Fire District and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, have joined forces to host public vaccination clinics for eligible county residents.
Though the initial fire-hosted clinics were held in early February in Hercules, Brentwood and San Ramon, Lamorinda residents were welcome to schedule appointments at any of the new clinic locations. This comes as good news for many Lamorinda residents after the Stanley Middle School vaccination site in Lafayette was abruptly shut down late last month.
All of the clinics across the county - including these new ones - take patients by appointment only. Eligibility is determined by Contra Costa Health Services, and criteria can be reviewed and appointments made at the department website (www.coronavirus.cchealth
.org/vaccine).
"As providers of emergency medical services across the county, our fire agencies are proud to be able to increase vaccine distribution in order to help further protect the communities we serve," ConFire Deputy Chief Aaron McAlister said in a statement. "This multiagency collaboration includes fire and law enforcement agencies, Contra Costa Health Services, community organizations and many volunteers."
Initial delivery of vaccinations was set at 500 daily per clinic, with the number of doses jumping to 1,000 or more based upon availability and CCHS guidance.
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