Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Former Fresno Councilmember and Assemblymember Mike Briggs Dies After Cancer Battle

4 hours ago

Trump Says He’s Committed to Sending National Guard Troops to Chicago

6 hours ago

Trump Dismisses Rumors He Is in Ill Health, Calls Them ‘Fake’

6 hours ago

Rubio Says US Military Conducted Lethal Strike Against Drug Vessel From Venezuela

6 hours ago

Trump Says He Is ‘Very Disappointed’ With Putin Over Ukraine

6 hours ago

Wall Street Hits Over One-Week Low on Tariff Uncertainty, Data in Focus

11 hours ago

US Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Use of Troops in Los Angeles

11 hours ago

Garnet Fire in Fresno County Grows to 26,982 Acres, 12% Contained

11 hours ago
California Taking More Control Over Vaccine Delivery After Complaints
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
January 26, 2021

Share

Facing widespread criticism for its slow vaccine rollout, California is revamping its delivery system mid-stride by centralizing its hodgepodge of county systems and streamlining appointment sign-up, notification, and eligibility for its 40 million residents.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday named Yolanda Richardson as secretary of the government operations agency that will spearhead operations and delivery, the state announced in advance of a noon news briefing. Richardson will work with private third party administrators, as yet unnamed, to decide where the state’s supply of vaccine should go as the federal supply ramps up to meet demand.

The change means counties and hospital networks — which have been scheduling appointments and determining eligibility under broad state guidance — will move at a more uniform pace. Residents have been baffled by the varying systems as some counties will vaccinate people 65 and older while others are limited to the more restrictive 75 and up.

“Our state and county public health leaders have done the important groundwork to get California’s vaccination plan up and running and we are grateful to them and will continue to partner with them,” said Newsom. “We have learned that to accelerate pace we need to dial up the scale of our efforts to ensure vaccine supply goes into arms as quickly as it arrives in the state.”

California has been dinged for vaccinating so few people even amid a national vaccine shortage that appears to be the main limiting factor. It has administered more than 2.4 million of 4.5 million doses shipped.

It wasn’t immediately clear how the change will affect giant vaccination sites at places like LA’s Dodger Stadium and Disneyland, which have been inoculating thousands of people a day. It’s also unclear how the move will affect people who have received first doses but still require second shots.

On Monday, Newsom Caught Counties by Surprise When He Abruptly Lifted Stay-Home Orders

California has said healthcare, education and childcare, emergency service and food and agriculture workers, as well as anyone 65 and older, are eligible for vaccines.

The third party administrator or administrators will allocate vaccines directly to providers, which will include county public health systems, pharmacies, health systems, public hospitals, community health centers, pharmacies and pop-up sites.

Dr. Chris Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa county, said they’re seeking details about the new arrangement, but expects county public health offices to continue playing a major role. Counties know the makeup of its residents best, and provide health care to people who lack insurance or who are underinsured.

“The local health departments are still going to be the main on the ground provider of vaccine to the community. Hopefully, this will be better coordination at the state level and maybe bringing in additional partners,” he said.

On Monday, Newsom caught counties by surprise when he abruptly lifted stay-home orders that covered much of the state.

The state has also launched a website called “My Turn” where people can sign up to be notified when they are eligible for a vaccine and to schedule appointments.

More people will become eligible for vaccines in the future based on age, the state health agency said in a statement.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Caught With 1,500 Fentanyl Pills Sentenced to Five Years

DON'T MISS

California Jury Clears Pop Star Cardi B of Assault Allegations in Civil Lawsuit

DON'T MISS

How the US Congressional Redistricting War is Playing Out State by State

DON'T MISS

Republican US House Committee Releases Thousands of Epstein Files

DON'T MISS

AI Will Require 60% of Workers to Retrain. Are Fresno Colleges Ready?

DON'T MISS

How One Blackstone Avenue Shelter Took Business Owners’ Concerns to Heart

DON'T MISS

They Were Convicted of Gang Crimes. New CA Supreme Court Rulings Trim Their Sentences

DON'T MISS

Former Fresno Councilmember and Assemblymember Mike Briggs Dies After Cancer Battle

DON'T MISS

US Congress Returns, With One Month to Avert Government Shutdown

DON'T MISS

Trump Says His Administration Will Ask Supreme Court for Expedited Ruling on Tariffs

UP NEXT

They Were Convicted of Gang Crimes. New CA Supreme Court Rulings Trim Their Sentences

UP NEXT

US Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Use of Troops in Los Angeles

UP NEXT

Classic Cars Will Still Need a Smog Test in California After Lawmakers Reject Jay Leno Bill

UP NEXT

Dollar Trades Lower With Fed Cut In View, On Course For Monthly Drop

UP NEXT

California Schools Reverse Truancy Trends. Improving Reading Scores Could Be Next

UP NEXT

High-Speed Rail Hits a New Snag as Lawmakers Reject Proposal to Expedite Construction

UP NEXT

Lawsuit Links CA Teen’s Suicide To Artificial Intelligence

UP NEXT

Hearing Ends Without Ruling On Trump’s Firing Of Fed Governor Cook

UP NEXT

Gov. Newsom Launches New Task Force To Clear CA Homeless Encampments

UP NEXT

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps

Republican US House Committee Releases Thousands of Epstein Files

3 hours ago

AI Will Require 60% of Workers to Retrain. Are Fresno Colleges Ready?

4 hours ago

How One Blackstone Avenue Shelter Took Business Owners’ Concerns to Heart

4 hours ago

They Were Convicted of Gang Crimes. New CA Supreme Court Rulings Trim Their Sentences

4 hours ago

Former Fresno Councilmember and Assemblymember Mike Briggs Dies After Cancer Battle

4 hours ago

US Congress Returns, With One Month to Avert Government Shutdown

5 hours ago

Trump Says His Administration Will Ask Supreme Court for Expedited Ruling on Tariffs

6 hours ago

Trump Says He’s Committed to Sending National Guard Troops to Chicago

6 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Teen After Traffic Stop Leads to Foot Chase, Firearm Recovery

6 hours ago

Trump Dismisses Rumors He Is in Ill Health, Calls Them ‘Fake’

6 hours ago

Fresno Man Caught With 1,500 Fentanyl Pills Sentenced to Five Years

A Fresno man was sentenced Tuesday to five years in federal prison for possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute, prosecutors said. Ady ...

2 hours ago

The crest of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is seen at their headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 10, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File photo
2 hours ago

Fresno Man Caught With 1,500 Fentanyl Pills Sentenced to Five Years

Cardi B looks on during the presentation of designer Rousteing's Spring/Summer 2025 Women's ready-to-wear collection show for fashion house Balmain during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, September 25, 2024. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

California Jury Clears Pop Star Cardi B of Assault Allegations in Civil Lawsuit

Democratic lawmakers in Texas
3 hours ago

How the US Congressional Redistricting War is Playing Out State by State

U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry March 28, 2017 and obtained by Reuters July 10, 2019. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
3 hours ago

Republican US House Committee Releases Thousands of Epstein Files

4 hours ago

AI Will Require 60% of Workers to Retrain. Are Fresno Colleges Ready?

4 hours ago

How One Blackstone Avenue Shelter Took Business Owners’ Concerns to Heart

The California Supreme Court (CalMatters/File)
4 hours ago

They Were Convicted of Gang Crimes. New CA Supreme Court Rulings Trim Their Sentences

Mike Briggs
4 hours ago

Former Fresno Councilmember and Assemblymember Mike Briggs Dies After Cancer Battle

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend