Public Health

Where & How To Get A COVID-19 Vaccine In The Bay Area?

Mira Research Team
Mira Research Team9 Feb 2021

Quick Digest: 

  • As of February 5th, California has received approximately 5.6 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus vaccines. Of this 5.6 million, California has administered 2,910,562 doses to its residents.
  • California is currently in phase 1a of vaccine distribution and is transitioning towards phase 1b. Accordingly, healthcare workers, long-term care residents, individuals 65 and older, people with occupational risk of exposure (education, emergency services, food, and agriculture), and people with residence in vulnerable communities can access the vaccine.
  • California will expand vaccinations to people eligible in phase 1b, tier 2 soon, which would expand vaccination for essential workers with a risk of exposure, incarcerated individuals, and homeless people.

 

What you need to know about the COVID-19 Vaccine in the Bay Area

In December 2020, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. 

  • Both vaccines demonstrated over 94% effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 during clinical trials.
  • Both vaccines utilize mRNA to teach your body how to recognize and kill the coronavirus should you be exposed. Since mRNA cannot enter the nucleus of cells, these vaccines will not alter your DNA.
  • Both vaccines require two doses, spaced approximately three to four weeks apart. Immunity will take time to build once you have been vaccinated, so you should continue to take precautions and act as though you are not vaccinated. Continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hand with soap and water.
  • Your second dose needs to be from the same company as your first dose. In other words, if you received the Pfizer vaccine for your first dose, you need to receive the Pfizer vaccine for your second dose.

For more information on COVID myths debunked, see our article here. Alternatively, if you want to know what to expect after your COVID vaccine, see our article here. 

 

The COVID-19 vaccine is available in the Bay Area for all who qualify in Phase 1a

California is currently allowing people in phase 1a as well as some phase 1b individuals to get vaccinated. Demand for the vaccine is extremely high; however, there are not enough vaccines to meet this demand. 

Therefore, just because you are eligible, does not mean you will be able to get vaccinated immediately. The following people are currently eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in the Bay Area.

  • Healthcare workers.
  • Long-term care facility residents

It is expected that phase 1b tier A will begin soon. This group includes:

  • Individuals aged 65 and older
  • Education and childcare
  • Emergency services
  • Agriculture and food

Phase 1b tier 2 is estimated to begin thereafter. Once phase 1b is in full effect, the following groups will be eligible for vaccination. The full list can be found here.

  • Transportation and logistics
  • Industrial, commercial, residential, and sheltering facilities and services
  • Critical manufacturing
  • Congregate settings with outbreak risk:
    • Incarcerated
    • Homeless

Here's where you can receive a Covid-19 vaccine in the Bay Area

Outlined below are all the locations you can receive the Covid-19 vaccine in the Bay Area as of January 26th.  Each county varies in terms of who they are prioritizing, but you will always need an appointment to receive a vaccine. Further, the methods by which you can acquire an appointment vary. 

For some locations, your provider will reach out to you directly for scheduling. For others, you may have to book the appointment yourself. We will continue to update this information as more counties 

San Francisco County

San Francisco residents can go here to submit contact and eligibility information to be notified via email when it’s their turn to be vaccinated. 

If you qualify because you are a member of the phase 1a group, you can also book your appointment directly at the websites listed below:

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Alameda County

Alameda County is currently vaccinating healthcare workers and people living in long-term care facilities. People over the age of 65 will be eligible to receive their vaccinations soon. Residents can go here to be notified when a vaccine is available for them. Information with details such as location and timing will be provided once you are eligible and have been notified. 

Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County is currently vaccinating healthcare workers and individuals over the age of 65. Residents can fill out this form to request a vaccination appointment. 

Information with details such as location and timing will be provided once you are eligible and have been notified.

Marin County

Marin County is prioritizing vaccinations based on age with people over the age of 75 being vaccinated first. Residents can go here to receive a notification when they are eligible. 

Once notified, residents will have to contact their healthcare provider to make an appointment.

Napa County

Napa County is vaccinating healthcare workers, people living in long-term care facilities, and individuals over the age of 65. Residents can go here to receive notifications and register for a clinic when a vaccine is available. 

San Mateo County

San Mateo County is currently vaccinating healthcare workers, people living in long-term care facilities, and people over the age of 65 (as supply allows). According to the county, healthcare organizations will provide most vaccinations and when direct vaccinations cannot be provided, a county partner will do so. 

Residents can go here to view information on providers booking appointments for eligible individuals. 

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Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County is currently vaccinating healthcare workers and people over the age of 75 as supply allows. Residents can go here to see a list of providers who are offering the vaccine and to schedule their appointment via the links provided on the website. 

We have also provided this information below.

Solano County

Solano County is currently vaccinating healthcare workers, residents of long-term care facilities, and people over the age of 75. Residents can go here to see if they are eligible and to schedule an appointment via one of the links provided on the website. We have also provided this information below.

Sonoma County

Sonoma Country is currently vaccinating healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities. Teachers, childcare providers, emergency service workers, food and agriculture workers, as well as people over the age of 65 can expect to be eligible in early February.  Residents can go here to see if they are eligible and to schedule an appointment via one of the links provided on the website. We have also provided this information below.

 

How much will the Covid-19 vaccine cost in the Bay Area?

The U.S. government bought several hundred million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines as part of Operation Warp Speed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that nobody will have to pay for the cost of a vaccine that was purchased by the government. 

However, it is possible to be charged for the administration of the vaccine if being vaccinated at a private doctor’s office or pharmacy. 

We estimate that if your vaccine location charges an administrative fee, it can cost between $16 and $29 per dose if you do not have insurance. 

After the pandemic is over and the government no longer purchases vaccines, people may have to pay between $25 and $58 for a COVID-19 vaccination.  

 

Sources: 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/When-and-where-can-I-get-my-coronavirus-15864955.php

https://abc7news.com/register-for-covid-vaccine-65-and-older-california-how-to-sign-up/9629963/

https://www.kron4.com/health/coronavirus/mass-vaccination-sites-open-in-the-bay-area/

https://sf.gov/covid-19-vaccine-san-francisco

Mira Research Team

The Mira Research team conducts original data and medical research on the most applicable topics of today and translates them into easy-to-understand articles to educate the public. Each of our articles is carefully reviewed and curated with interviews and opinions from medical experts, public health officials, and experienced administrators. The team has educational backgrounds from New York University, the University of Virginia, more.

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