Farm and agricultural workers are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Saturday.
They are part of Phase 1B, which includes those 65 and older, and those in emergency services, education and childcare, and agriculture and food service.
“After waiting for so long, we’re super happy that the vaccine will be available for all of us,” said Alex Avelar in Spanish. He's owner of Alex’s Nursery in Oceanside.
Avelar said the work never stopped for his nursery during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders when farm and agricultural workers were considered essential.
Yamira Tovar, a worker at Alex’s nursery, said the vaccine is one step closer to overcoming a pandemic that has impacted her own family.
“Now that we know the vaccine is available, we are going to feel a little bit safer. The vaccine is supposed to protect us,” Tovar said in Spanish.
Tovar did have one question: “Where will the vaccines be offered?”
Through “Operation Collaboration,” various agencies will work together to help get the vaccine out to rural areas of the county and help administer them to the new tier.
“Our efforts are to get out to all those different areas. That's what the collaboration is currently planning the process of. Where are we going to go, how are we going to prioritize, how are we going to hit every body that we possibly can,” said North County Fire Captain, John Choi.
“Operation Collaboration” is supported by two dozen fire and EMS agencies in San Diego County. Those within the new tier can make an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccine, starting Saturday.
