Hundreds of SLO County seniors now receiving COVID-19 vaccine daily

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Hundreds of San Luis Obispo County seniors are now receiving the COVID-19 vaccine each weekday.

Earlier this week, the county opened a second vaccination clinic at the Paso Robles Event Center.

A site on Sierra Way in San Luis Obispo is also being used a vaccination clinic.

On Thursday, the Event Center's Ponderosa Pavilion was filled all day long with seniors taking advantage of the opportunity to receive the first in a two-dose vaccination process.

"I feel wonderful," said Carole Ross from Morro Bay. "My husband and I are so happy to get the vaccine today."

According to Paso Robles Fire Department Public Information Officer Charles Brown, the Paso Robles clinic will vaccinate about 2,000 residents this week.

"The county is working really hard to make sure we get as many vaccines out as possible," said Brown. "This operation has been an all-hands on deck type of operation. It couldn't have happened without local fire personnel. We have law enforcement. We have the SLO County medical reserve corps. We have the county disaster workers, all on deck here."

According to many seniors that were vaccinated Thursday, they walked away impressed with the operation.

"I am so appreciative of all the Health Department and all the volunteers," said Tom Maier from Los Osos. "This is a great operation that has been done. It's effective and it's efficient too. It is really organized and it's a process that I am so impressed in how they have put it together and handle everyone so quickly."

"I am 100 percent happy about the organization," said Ross. "From the time you enter the gate, until you get your vaccine, it's just perfect. It couldn't have been any easier. Everybody is nice. I just hope that everybody will get their vaccine. It's absolutely wonderful."

On Wednesday, San Luis Obispo County Administrative Officer and Emergency Services Coordinator Wade Horton announced a third site will open next week at Arroyo Grande High School.

"In addition to providing for public safety, distributing vaccine to our residents is our county's residents is the county's highest priority," said Horton. "Our goal is to administer about 4,000 first doses this week and a similar number of first doses next week."

This week, the county entered "Phase 1B" of its vaccination distribution plan, which includes residents who are 75-years-old and older.

"Because we have a limited number of vaccine at this time we must allocate based on who is most at risk of serious illness or death," said Horton. "By getting the 26,000 people in our county who are 75-and-older vaccinated first, we are all preventing the most serious outcomes."

Horton added 75% of all COVID-19 related deaths in the county have been people that were 75-years-old or older.

Registration for the vaccine is required and opens each Thursday morning.

The clinic will not provide vaccinations to any person that arrives without a reservation.

In addition, identification, plus proof of residence is required.

Earlier on Thursday, availability for next week opened at 9 a.m. and all 5,100 slots quickly filled up.

The county tweeted the time slots were booked at a rate of 36 per minute.

Free transportation to clinics is being offered by RTA Runabout and Ride-On.

People should expect to spend around 20-to-30 minutes at the vaccination clinic.

For more information on San Luis Obispo County vaccination efforts, visit ReadySLO.org.