Vaccines hit plateau as health officials look for ways to get more residents vaccinated
It's no question that Riverside County has reached a milestone when it comes to getting its residents vaccinated. Earlier this month county officials announced more than half of its residents (ages 12+) have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. As of Monday, 52.4% of residents were either partially or fully vaccinated, according to Riverside County Department of Public Health spokesperson, Jose Arballo.
When vaccines first became available to the public early on this year, appointments were almost impossible to come by. Lines wrapped around makeshift clinics as Riverside County residents attempted to get their share of the shot. Roughly six months later administered vaccine rates appear to have reached a plateau. Clinics are not overwhelmed with people how they once were.
"Instead of the thousands a day, it’ll be in the hundreds a day," Arballo said.
County officials have rolled out mobile clinics in an effort to target neighborhoods and communities with people who have not received the shot.
"I didn’t really want to get vaccinated," Indio resident, Jose Gonzales said.
Gonzales, 15, received his second shot of the Pfizer vaccine on Monday. His mom had him get it despite a difference of opinions.
"I didn’t trust it," Gonzales said.
"I'm really not scared that something will happen," said Indio resident Dolores Luna in a response translated from Spanish.
Luna arrived with her family in Indio as well.
"I think a hand pain or body pain is better than being sick with COVID," Luna said.
Clinics around the valley have reported similar downward trends to the state and country.
"I think there’s a number of reasons. I think in the beginning you had a lot of people who wanted to get the vaccine, many of the people who have wanted it and have been eligible have now gotten it so now we’re looking at people who may be not really sure, also people who may have not prioritized it," Desert Oasis Healthcare Associate Vice President of Population Health Integration, Lindsey Valenzuela said.
Valenzuela said even within the last month they've seen a drop, despite offering vaccines by appointment and walk-ins. The clinics are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Many healthcare workers have expressed concern that fewer vaccines being administered could hinder the fight against COVID-19.
"We hope people get educated about the truth about it and the real facts. If they decide not to get vaccinated and they know and it’s an educated decision, well then we can live with that. But if it’s just because you heard a rumor or something like that, that’s disappointing because we think theres a lot of information out there that would convince people that vaccines are safe and effective," Arballo said.
