INYO COUNTY, CA, January 6, 2020 – Inyo County, in partnership with Northern Inyo Healthcare District (NIHD) and Southern Inyo Healthcare District (SIHD) has quickly vaccinated the majority of the Priority 1A population and has already used nearly all of the vaccine on hand in the County.
“Though you read national news reports where only a portion of vaccine has been allocated and used, that is not true in our region,” says Dr. Jim Richardson, the Inyo County Health Officer. “Through dedicated partnership with our local hospitals, we have managed to reach nearly every 1A person who has wanted to sign up with a vaccine, and plan to start rolling out vaccine to 1B populations as soon as new vaccine is allocated to Inyo – hopefully as soon as next week.”
Marilyn Mann, Director of Inyo County Department of Health and Human Services
Marilyn Mann, Director of Inyo County Department of Health and Human Services added, “Inyo County Health and Human Services is especially grateful to our Northern Inyo Healthcare District partners for not only receiving and storing the Pfizer vaccines for both Inyo and Mono counties, but for also coordinating with our agency to aggressively roll-out vaccine distribution to our Priority 1A population. Their commitment to high volume distribution allowed us to move quickly into the lower tiers of 1A, including non-clinical staff at both hospital facilities. Our partnership is greatly appreciated!”
The 1A population, which is almost complete, consists entirely of health care workers, medical first responders, and residents of skilled nursing and long term care facilities. The 1B population is much larger and is broken into two tiers. Tier 1B(1) includes non-medical first responders, teachers, childcare workers, front line workers in the food and agriculture industries, and people over the age of 75. People who are eligible for 1B(1) vaccination due to their work will be contacted by the Public Health Department through their workplaces. This includes non-medical first responders, teachers, childcare workers, front line workers in food and agriculture industries. People who may be eligible due to age will be vaccinated through public health or through their primary care provider. When vaccine becomes available to begin this process, we will notify the public. We will notify you within the next 2 weeks.
Inyo County is well ahead of the rest of the state when it comes to vaccinations, and we could not do it without the dedicated partnership of our local hospital systems. We will continue to partner with our local hospitals and other health care providers to move vaccine into the community as quickly as possible.
Every citizen can do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19: wear a face covering when engaging with anyone not in living in your home; wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds – use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available; and, maintain physical distance of 6 feet or more from people who do not live in your home whenever possible
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Props to all involved! Psyc’d to hear Inyo healthcare is on top of the rollout! I won’t be able to get it until it’s available to everyone, but I’ll for sure be heading to wherever I can get it when it’s my turn! I appreciate all involved for being on it thus far!
I shure hope you guys hurry up this is scary and I want to get my shot ASAP I feel there picking who matters more it’s like a purge. Of course the elderly and front line workers should get the shot but we matter to and in my family everyone is at risk I’m scared I’ll catch this and itl kill my father please hurry up.
According to CMS.gov there is no charge to Medicare patients receiving COVID vaccine. No co-pay, no deductible charges.
I have had two Covid tests, one in June, and one in December. This was done locally through Verily? They ask for insurance info when you sign up, my insurance has covered it both times. The vaccine rollout is a different story. My 86 year old mother with cardiac history, called Rural Health Clinic for information on vaccination for her, and they told her it would probably be the end of summer before she could get the vaccine.
AK, I’m towards the front of the line, it could be available within a few weeks, if at all possible your mom can have my vaccination.
Tinner, thank you very much, that is very generous of you. She called again yesterday, and they said maybe spring or early summer. I am going to call county health and human services today and see if they can help. Thanks again!
Your reporting never mentions the costs. Who’s paying for all these early-on vaccinations? Individuals? How much does a vaccination cost?
Who paid/pays for all the Covid-19 testing? What’s the per unit cost?
Robert, not an easy question to answer. One reason we have not mentioned it is that, believe it or not, you are the first person who has asked. Congratulations! After a quick online search, the amount someone might have to pay (It is largely free for most people apparently) is between $100 to over $800, depending on where the test is given, who is giving the shot, what insurance someone has, and were other services provided such as “consultation fee”, and so on.
Sierra Wave will look further into it and provide our readers and listeners with more information. Meanwhile, there’s this from John Hopkins University“: Q&A: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET A COVID-19 TEST? IT DEPENDS.