COVID-19 Vaccination
Last updated 1/22/2021
A COVID-19 vaccine is one of the most important tools to end the COVID-19 pandemic. A safe, effective, no-cost COVID-19 vaccine will be available to everyone in California. The vaccine paired with other daily health habits, such as wearing face coverings and social distancing, will slow the spread of COVID-19 so businesses and schools can fully reopen and we can return to a more normal way of life.
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Healthcare workers
(tiers 1, 2, 3) -
Employees & residents of long-term care facilities
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People ages 75 and over
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People ages 65 - 74
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Frontline essential workers
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Congregate settings with outbreak risk
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People ages 50 - 64
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People ages 16 - 64 with high-risk medical conditions
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Other essential workers
All people ages 16 years and older not in Phase 1
Dec. - Jan.
Started January
Estimated Spring
Estimated Summer
Distribution Phases
Click here to learn more about the vaccine distribution phases. Please note that the timing is estimated and subject to change.
When Can I Get Vaccinated?
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COVID-19 vaccine is in short supply. The government has guidelines to make sure these people get the vaccine first:
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People at high risk because of their work
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People at high risk of serious complications from a COVID-19 infection
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Click here if you are a healthcare worker or are 65 years of age or older and would like to make a vaccination appointment. Eligible residents who have difficulty using the form or have no internet access can request an appointment by calling 1-833-829-2626.
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Note: Vaccination appointments are currently prioritized for residents who are 75 or older. Eligible residents who are 65 to 74 will receive appointments based on availability, and the wait for an appointment may take weeks or months. CCHS recommends that eligible residents who have other health insurance also seek appointments from their own healthcare providers.
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Check our distribution phases and ethical and equitable vaccine allocation pages for more information
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We expect vaccine will be available to most people by the second half of 2021.
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Getting vaccinated protects you and your family from this dangerous disease, but nobody is required to be vaccinated
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Visit this page often for updates about COVID-19 vaccine in Contra Costa County.
Where Can I Get Vaccinated?
Why Should I Get Vaccinated?
Vaccination is an important tool to help stop the pandemic. It protects you and others by reducing infection and the spread of COVID-19. Together, the vaccine and other public health measures (like wearing a face covering and social distancing) will offer the best protection from COVID-19, reducing further spread so businesses and schools can fully reopen and we can return to a more normal way of life.
How Does the Vaccine Work?
The vaccines do not contain live viruses that could cause infection, are rapidly broken down by the human body after injection and do not interact with or affect with a person's DNA. The vaccines use messenger RNA to teach the body's own cells to produce antibodies to protect itself from COVID-19. Both vaccines require two doses over a three- to four-week period.
Is the Vaccine Safe?
Vaccines have a long history of safety and effectiveness. While infrastructure to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines is being scaled up as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures are in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized or approved for use. To date, tens of thousands of people have received these vaccines in carefully documented trials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an independent group of experts that reviews all the safety data as it comes in and provides regular safety updates. The State of California is also conducting its own review of the vaccines’ clinical data to ensure they’re safe to use. The CDC, Food and Drug Administration and healthcare providers will continue safety monitoring as more people are vaccinated to learn about any additional vaccine side effects.
Additional Information
Wear a face covering
Keep at least 6 feet apart from others
Wash your hands often
Stay home when possible