Finding your COVID vaccine in El Dorado and Douglas counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine along with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, more doses are now available in the country, but finding them has been a challenge for many.

With the South Shore split between two states, there are different vaccine distribution methods. People need to also know where they fall in the eligibility list.

California

There are currently three ways vaccines are being distributed in the South Lake Tahoe area - one is through El Dorado County (which covers Safeway, health department and clinics) and the other is by direct booking at CVS. Due to demand, appointment availability can change quickly. The third way is described below through Barton Health.

El Dorado Public Health is continuing to vaccinate residents in eligible tiers as established by the State of California based on available supply. They ask that you sign up for MyTurn.ca.gov to be notified when you are eligible and appointments are available. Additionally, as the county opens appointments through South Lake Tahoe’s local public health office, they are offering the opportunity to schedule these appointments through the county website at https://www.edcgov.us/Government/hhsa/Pages/EDCCOVID-19-clinics.aspx. It is recommended that residents check that website regularly.

CVS (visit here - https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine?icid=cvs-home-hero1-link2-coronavirus-vaccine) has vaccines for people age 65+, teachers K-12, daycare and preschool workers, and staff, health care workers, food and agriculture workers, and Long-term care residents and staff. The key is longing on daily, and early.

Nevada

Douglas County is part of the Quad-County area and vaccines are administered to the whole region. Appointments are open to those age 65+ and those who qualify through the Quad-County workforce at this time.

If you are eligible based on employment, you must be vaccinated by the jurisdiction you work in; if you work out of the Quad-Counties you will be turned away. Starting March 10, the Agriculture and Food Processing Group will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine no matter the age. Proof of employment is necessary.

For a full list of those currently being vaccinated, visit HERE.

To schedule an appointment and for eligibility information visit
https://gethealthycarsoncity.org/novel.../covid-19-vaccine/. There are some upcoming clinics in Carson City, Storey County and Lyon County. The Douglas County clinic is on March 11 at the fairgrounds on Pinenut Road. All attending must have an appointment.

Barton Health

Barton Health has assisted in the county’s effort to provide vaccines to patients in the eligible tiers based on allocation supplied by El Dorado County. On February 26, Barton vaccinated approximately 1,300 patients who were 65 years or older. Those patients are now scheduled for a second dose on March 19 and will be contacted directly by Barton to confirm their appointment.

With the small allotment of additional doses remaining from the February 26 clinic, Barton has the county’s approval to contact high risk patients within the eligible tiers through MyChart and phone calls to invite them to schedule first doses, according to Mindi Befu, Barton's public information officer. This will occur the week of March 15, 2021. Befu said is recommended that residents ensure they have a MyChart account as that is how appointments will be available and scheduled. Appointments will be booked on a first come, first serve basis.

People who are not contacted by Barton should continue to follow the steps above and check El Dorado County Public Health’s website or Quad Counties Public Health website for additional clinics and appointments based on approved tiers. Residents should ensure they have a Barton MyChart account as that is how appointments through Barton will be communicated, added Befu.

If you have questions about vaccine safety, please see Barton’s COVID-19 vaccination webpage. If you have specific questions about your health, please contact your primary care provider.

For seniors needing assistance being registered and finding appointments, stop by the library in South Lake Tahoe Monday-Saturday.

*IMPORTANT REMINDERS for all Participants**

Participants are seen by appointment only.
Fill out the COVID-19 Immunization Consent Form prior to your appointment COVID Vaccine Informed Consent (Fillable).pdf
Bring Drive License/ID, medical and prescription insurance card to the appointment
Bring proof of eligibility
Wear short sleeve shirt if possible
Do NOT attend clinic if you are feeling unwell or experiencing COVID symptoms