Signing up for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment usually requires an email address for the confirmation, which can block access for people without Internet or computer access.
That was one of the lessons learned from the Feb. 28 vaccination clinic for agricultural workers, Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso said last week.
Santa Barbara County partnered with community groups to contact and register agricultural workers for the Santa Maria clinic, including the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), the Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) and Herencia Indígena.
“Our state registration system requires an email for confirmation of the appointment, and many of our community members did not have that,” Do-Reynoso said. “It was amazing to have community members who could register and create an email account within their organization to receive the confirmation as well as to call their community members as reminders.”
The state-sponsored sign-up system that the Public Health Department uses for all of its vaccination clinics, PrepMod, requires an email address for the confirmation, whether people register themselves on the website or through the county call center at 2-1-1, spokeswoman Jackie Ruiz said.
Public Health created a workaround to help people who can’t access the online portal, or don’t have an email address.
“With our call center, we have established a secure dummy account through Public Health that we input at this step so it is not a barrier for folks,” she said.
Call 2-1-1, option 4 to reach the county call center, which is staffed with people from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
Call center staff can answer vaccine-related questions and directly register eligible people for appointments, when available, according to the county.
New appointment spots at county clinics are posted each Monday at 9 a.m.
Residents age 65 or older are eligible to be vaccinated, and so are health care workers, educators and school staff, child care workers, food and agricultural workers, and emergency services workers.
In addition to the Public Health Department clinics, thousands of vaccine doses are distributed weekly at local hospitals and pharmacies.
Most of the appointment registration portals and waitlists are accessible online for COVID-19 vaccinations in Santa Barbara County.
The Public Health Department also posts information about appointments mostly through its website, social media pages and an email newsletter.
Make Testing Appointments By Phone
The Public Health Department encourages residents to get tested, especially essential workers and anyone who is experiencing any COVID-19-like symptoms or had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Residents can also make testing appointments by phone for any of the county- and state-run sites:
» Santa Maria Health Care Center (outdoor kiosk) at 2115 S. Centerpointe Pkwy., Santa Maria
If you do not have email or need help making an appointment, call 2-1-1. Register online by clicking here.
» Santa Maria Fairpark at 937 Thornburg St., Santa Maria
To register by phone, call 888.634.1123, x8, or 2-1-1. Register online by clicking here.
» Lompoc Health Care Center (testing trailer) at 301 North R St., Lompoc
If you do not have email or need help making an appointment, call 2-1-1. Register online by clicking here.
» American Medical Response Central Training Center at 240 E. Hwy. 246, Suite 110, Buellton
To register by phone, call 888.634.1123, x8, or 2-1-1. Register online by clicking here.
» Santa Barbara (testing trailer) at 267 Camino del Remedio, Santa Barbara
If you do not have email or need help making an appointment, call 2-1-1. Register online by clicking here.
» Goleta Valley Community Center at 5679 Hollister Ave., Goleta
To register by phone, call 888.634.1123, x8, or 2-1-1. Register online by clicking here.
» Mobile unit moving to East Beach waterfront parking lot, at 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd. in Santa Barbara, on Monday
To register by phone, call 888.634.1123, x8, or 2-1-1. Register online here.
Walk-in testing opportunities (no appointment necessary)
» Santa Maria Health Care Center (outdoor kiosk) at 2115 S. Centerpointe Pkwy., Santa Maria, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays
» Isla Vista Theater at 960 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista, from noon to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.