SLO County to close its 3 mass COVID vaccination clinics. What happens then?
San Luis Obispo County Public Health will close its three mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics on June 4 — in San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande and Paso Robles.
Thus far, SLO County community clinics have administered more than 151,687 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since December.
The clinics have been held at locations that can accommodate large groups — Cuesta College Performing Arts Center, Paso Robles Event Center, and South County Regional Center in Arroyo Grande.
Going forward, county Public Health vaccine administration will continue through mobile, pop-up and regular clinics, according to officials.
That’s as health care providers and pharmacies across SLO County now are offering the vaccine.
“With this shift, the county will also begin providing the COVID-19 vaccine along with other vaccinations and health services at long-standing Public Health clinics,” they added.
SLO County Public Health will refocus efforts “on mobile vaccine clinics to serve those who have faced barriers to visiting a clinic,” SLO Public Health officials said in a news release.
“When we stood up these large, temporary clinics, our goal was to administer vaccines as swiftly as possible to our residents, beginning with those most at risk for COVID-19,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, county Public Health officer, in the release. “I’m proud to say this made the vaccination process easy and fast for tens of thousands of residents. Our commitment to ensuring our community has access to the vaccine has not changed — but now that it is available from many other providers, we can shift our focus to mobile clinics.”
First and second dose appointments can still be made through next week using the state’s My Turn system.
Also, the county’s clinics in Arroyo Grande and Paso Robles are accepting walk-in appointments during their regular open hours.
Those who receive their first dose of vaccine from the county after May 14 may get their second dose from a regular Public Health clinic or a pharmacy.
“These large clinics have offered a fast, easy and convenient way to get your vaccine at no cost for months now. It is incredible what these volunteers and staff have achieved for the community,” Borenstein said. “If you’re still waiting to get your vaccine, now is the time to make it happen before these sites close.”
To schedule your free first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, visit myturn.ca.gov or call (833) 422-4255.
The SLO County Phone Assistance Center at is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (805) 543-2444.
It’s highly likely that even as the county closes its three large clinics, the agency will continue to use My Turn for making appointments at the regular Public Health sites. More clarification on that will come though, as the change nears, officials say, updating those that need their second doses at a different location.
For more information, visit www.RecoverSLO.org/Vaccine.
Clarification: This story has been updated to clarify that SLO County Public Health is offering mobile and pop-up clinics.
This story was originally published May 7, 2021 at 12:25 PM.
%20Cropped.jpg)