San Luis Obispo County announced Friday afternoon that it is opening an additional 1,500 first-dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments for two days on the week of Feb. 22 at the Paso Robles vaccination clinic.
According to a news release from the San Luis Obispo County Joint Information Center, eligible community members can book appointments starting Friday. Individuals who are unable to make an appointment Friday are encouraged to check RecoverSLO.org on weekday mornings for any newly opened appointments.
Dr. Penny Borenstein, health officer for San Luis Obispo County, said anyone who books their first-dose COVID-19 vaccine appointment Friday may need to book their second dose appointment for a different location when the time comes due to "logistical challenges associated with the vaccine."
"What's important is that you get the same kind of vaccine for both your first and second dose, whether that's Pfizer or Moderna," said Borenstein.
The California Department of Public Health recently notified local health officials that shipments of Moderna vaccine doses will arrive later than expected due to severe weather storms throughout the U.S., according to the news release.
Second-dose Moderna vaccination appointments scheduled for Feb. 23 at the Paso Robles and Arroyo Grande sites are now rescheduled for Feb. 26 at the same time and location, said local health officials.
“We understand just how critical it is for vaccine recipients to get both doses in a timely manner,” said Dr. Borenstein.
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department aims to administer more than 10,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine across its three clinics the week of Feb. 22.
County health officials will contact patients whose second-dose appointments need to be rescheduled by the end of the day Friday, according to the press release.