Week of January 21, 2021

Eligible, Registered Individuals Will Now Receive Notification of COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

Eligible individuals under Phase 1A (all tiers) who are registered in the Othena system, including persons age 65 and older, will receive an e-mail to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.  These individuals will then have up to four hours to confirm a date and time that works with their schedule. If they do not respond in the time allotted, they will go back into the queue to receive notification of future openings. Virtual queue notifications will be prioritized based on factors including age, chronic health conditions, time of registration, and available vaccine supply. Simply register and you will be e-mailed when an appointment is available.

County Adds Second Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Super POD Site 

The County of Orange is opening its second regional COVID-19 Vaccine Super Point of Dispensing (POD) site at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo on Saturday, January 23, 2021, starting at 8:00 am. New Super POD sites will open as the supply of COVID-19 vaccines available in the County increases. Additional Super POD sites will open in a phased approach, ensuring access to all Orange County residents. Orange County is moving quickly to make the COVID-19 vaccination available; however, the County faces ongoing supply limitations. The Orange County Heath Care Agency is continuously requesting more doses from the State every day.

Please note, the vaccination experience at the County Super PODs typically takes 45-60 minutes per person. It is not necessary to arrive more than 15-20 minutes before your scheduled appointment.

Second Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Procedures

Individuals who received a first COVID-19 vaccine dose through the Othena system will receive an email 3-5 days before their second dose is due that will allow them to select a clinic location, time, and date. Anyone who received a first dose through their health system, employer, or other group will receive the second dose from the same source.

COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments and OC Health Care Agency Newsletter

To view a list of those who are eligible to receive a vaccine, visit the OC Health Care Agency’s website, by clicking here. For questions about Othena or appointment scheduling, the Orange County Health Care Agency’s Hotline can assist Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at (714) 834-2000. To receive the OC Health Care Agency’s Vaccine Facts newsletter, which includes a weekly digest of information and news about the vaccine, click here and scroll down until you see the subscribe button.

Volunteers Needed for Vaccination Sites

The OC Health Care Agency is in an urgent need of volunteers to assist with distributing COVID-19 vaccines. The County’s virtual Emergency Volunteer Center (EVC), available by clicking here, is currently pre-registering volunteers interested in assisting government staff with COVID-19 vaccinations at POD sites throughout this year. The County is looking to establish two teams of volunteers willing to serve in two critical volunteer roles:  Medical Trained Volunteers and General Support Volunteers.

Medical Trained Volunteers

Medical licensed volunteers are able to assist with vaccine preparation and distribution. Currently licensed:  Physicians (MD, DO and MD/DO students), Nurses (RN, LVN, and Nursing Students), Physician/Nursing Assistants, Dentists, Medical Assistants, Paramedics, and Emergency Medical Technicians. 

General Support Volunteers

Volunteers able to assist in logistical support roles such as computer data entry, registration, traffic, and other duties as assigned.

Regional Stay-at-Home Order Remains in Effect for Southern California Region

The Southern California Region continues to be under the Stay-at-Home Order. The Order will be lifted when ICU projections are above or equal to 15%. As of today, the Southern California Region continues to have 0% ICU availability.

As a reminder, the Regional Stay-at-Home Order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations, except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others.

Click here to view the full Regional Stay-at-Home Order.