From the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:

Dozens of staff at local skilled nursing facilities are expected to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine by the end of this holiday weekend. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced Monday that the state opted into the federal COVID-19 Pharmacy Partnership that will see CVS and Walgreens employees administering the Pfizer vaccine to staff and residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential care sites and other long-term care facilities. However, with federal implementation delayed, Humboldt County Public Health has stepped into the gap. 

Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman said, “The Pharmacy Partnership program will be beneficial for a lot of people, but due to our county’s current situation, we think it is important to move the vaccine timeline up for staff at our local skilled nursing facilities.” 

While some facilities, including Seaview Rehabilitation, will begin vaccination through the federal program early next week, Fortuna and Eureka Rehabilitation and Wellness Centers would have to wait until the middle of January without the support of Public Health. 

Many staff at Granada Rehabilitation and Wellness Center remain under quarantine, but plans are being put in place to vaccinate all staff who have not tested positive as soon as the quarantine period ends. Staff who tested positive will be able to start the vaccine series after they have recovered or have waited 90 days.  

Public Health staff is coordinating with the Emergency Operations Center, community partners and medical providers to host invite-only mass vaccination clinics for health care workers across the county starting next week. 

For updates on vaccine distribution in California, go to covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/.