Clinica Sierra Vista has removed tier requirements to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at sites in Kern and Fresno counties, opening the doors to anyone 18 or older. "We feel confident as an organization given vaccination supply from our federal partners ... to open up appointment requests to more patients," said...
Tulare County 2-1-1 Overwhelmed With COVID-19 Vaccine Calls
The good news is, Tulare County residents are eager to get their COVID-19 vaccinations. The bad news? Supplies are short, and residents have deluged the county's 2-1-1 call center. As a result, there are long wait times. So how does somebody get a potentially life-saving appointment for a vaccination? By...
They Stood in Lines for Hours to Get COVID Shots at Fresno Fairgrounds
Only a couple days into mass inoculations for the COVID-19 vaccine, sites in Fresno are attracting long lines of people ready to roll up their sleeves. In northeast Fresno, the long lines were of cars containing one or more people who were able to wait their turn somewhat comfortably. However,...
Community Regional Medical Centers Begin COVID-19 Vaccinations
Community Regional Medical Centers chose 50 employees from throughout their hospital system for its first COVID-19 vaccinations Friday. CRMC spokeswoman Mary Lisa Russell said that the vaccine's initial deployment targeted a wide mix of hospital workers. "They're from all different ages and walks of life. They are going to monitor all...
Opponents Drop Bid to Block California Vaccination Law
SACRAMENTO — Opponents on Monday dropped their attempt to block California’s new law cracking down on doctors who write fraudulent medical exemptions for school children's vaccinations. They had floated two measures that could have put the Jan. 1 law on hold until voters considered overturning it next year, but did...
California Lawmaker, Governor Reach Deal on Vaccine Bill
SACRAMENTO — The author of a California bill limiting medical exemptions for vaccinations is accepting Gov. Gavin Newsom's demand for additional changes. Sen. Richard Pan on Friday amended a companion bill to reflect the governor's wishes, days after lawmakers sent Newsom a bill cracking down on doctors who sell fraudulent...
California Lawmakers Eye Bills on Vaccines, Guns, Housing
SACRAMENTO — California state lawmakers have just two weeks remaining in their session to sort through hundreds of bills, some addressing volatile topics such as vaccinating children and shootings by police. The session that began in January will end Sept. 13 after lawmakers pile bills on the desk of freshman...
Jessica Biel Not Against Vaccinations, Just Against California Bill
LOS ANGELES — Actress Jessica Biel says she's not opposed to vaccinations, but she does not support a bill in California that would limit medical exemptions. The 37-year-old has drawn criticism after appearing this week in Sacramento with vaccination skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to express concerns about Senate Bill...
California Vaccine Rules Advance Over Emotional Opposition
SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers advanced tougher rules for vaccinations late Wednesday after hearing hours of testimony from hundreds of opponents while the nation grapples with the highest number of measles cases in decades. The Senate Health Committee approved the proposal to give state public health officials instead of local doctors...
NYC Orders Mandatory Vaccines for Some Amid Measles Outbreak
NEW YORK — New York City declared a public health emergency Tuesday over a measles outbreak and ordered mandatory vaccinations in one neighborhood for people who may have been exposed to the virus. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the unusual order amid what he said was a measles "crisis" in...