COVID-19 vaccine eligibility will be open to everyone aged 16 and over during the month of April. But there are still people from the earlier eligibility phases who have not been able to get an appointment to get a vaccine.
To help alleviate the struggles of finding an appointment, a San Diego woman has set up a Facebook group called San Diego Vaccine Hunters to help people get vaccinated.
Lena Evans, a local philanthropist, is the administrator of the group, which has more than 4,000 members. The Facebook group offers hundreds of tips and links aimed at helping land a vaccine appointment.
“It’s heartwarming that the members are showing their true humanity and helping each other as a community,” Evans said. “Every day we have posts in there that say ‘Thank you for this group,’ ‘I couldn't have done it without you,’ ‘I just joined yesterday and I already got my first vaccine.’”
Evans said the group is an “informal partner” to San Diego County as it works to supply vaccines. The county said it's continuing to add vaccination sites, but is dependent on supply.
Dr. Christian Ramers of Family Health Centers of San Diego is on the county's clinical vaccine advisory panel. He told KPBS Midday Edition the message to the public should be, “Talk to your own health care provider. Keep in mind there are other venues you can get vaccinated if you're not able to get an immediate appointment.”
County officials say other resources include asking your own medical provider, local pharmacy, or keeping an eye on the county website for new vaccination sites as supplies increase.
