Santa Clara County officials announced Wednesday that workers in education and childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture industries will be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine beginning Feb. 28.
The county calls the expansion to Tier 1B a big step in broadening access to the vaccine and is also taking steps to make sure everyone can make an appointment, even if they’re not online.
"So this expansion of eligibility will help ensure that many of our essential workers, particularly those essential workers who are living in communities hardest hit, will have access to vaccines,” said Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody.
The county says it has vaccinated more than half of those 75 and over and nearly half of those who are 65 and over.
In the next two weeks, Dr. Cody says they'll be focusing on those 65 and over.
The county also has a goal of having a better reach in the Latinx community -- only 6% of which has been vaccinated so far, despite making up about 25% of the population, and close to half of the COVID-19 cases.
"Residents without internet access or who need additional assistance can call 211 for assistance in multiple languages,” said Supervisor Mike Wasserman.
