• State’s low vaccine allocations lead to few doses for County
• Merced County vaccination clinics on a temporary hold for next week due to low allocations
• Federal, State and local officials are actively advocating for a greater share of vaccine doses

January 30, 2021 - Due to a national shortage of COVID-19 vaccine doses, the Merced County Department of Public Health will not host vaccination clinics next week.

All available vaccine doses will be dedicated toward providing the second dose required to complete the vaccination series for those who have already received their initial dose (full vaccination requires first and second doses).

While the current vaccine shortage is a nationwide issue, Merced County continues to receive the second worst per capita vaccine allocation in the State. Merced County has the proper infrastructure, technology and communications in place to efficiently distribute the vaccine in large volumes. To date, doses allocated to Merced County have been quickly distributed in a safe and responsible manner, and thousands are currently signed up to receive a registration notification once appointments are available. Officials at the Federal, State and local level (including the Board of Supervisors and six mayors) continue to call on the Newsom Administration and the California Department of Public Health for a greater share of vaccine doses.

“The County is working closely with Congressman Costa, Senator Caballero and Assemblyman Gray to correct this inequity by securing a greater number of vaccine doses,” said Daron McDaniel, Chairman of the Merced County Board of Supervisors. “I’m confident that we’ll be successful in making this happen, and we will not relent until it does.” 

Without an increased allocation, County health officials are not expecting to have enough vaccine doses for additional clinics at this time. As soon as County health officials are able to confirm enough vaccine allocation to host additional clinics, further announcements will be made.

Those who would like to receive a vaccination are strongly encouraged to sign up at our vaccination site www.vaccinatemercedcounty.com in order to be notified of future availability and appointment options.

Anyone who doesn’t have access to a computer or internet can call the Public Health Information Line at 209-381-1180 to request an appointment (on a first come, first served basis). Vaccination appointments are prioritized based on State eligibility criteria and are handled in the order submitted. Eligible individuals are currently being vaccinated by appointment only in order to administer the vaccine safely, orderly and effectively.

Please note: The State is in the process of launching a pilot program for a vaccine-scheduling platform known as “My Turn.” That platform is not yet available in Merced County and more information will be provided once it’s made available in coming weeks. Those who have already received their first dose of the vaccine with the Merced County Department of Public Health will be notified by a third-party agency called HR Support to schedule their second dose in order to complete the vaccination series and become fully vaccinated.

Source: Merced County