San Francisco has moved to the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, expanding those eligible for the vaccine beyond just health care workers and the elderly, city leaders announced Wednesday.
Under Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan, people who work in San Francisco as teachers, child care providers, emergency service workers or in the food and agriculture industry are now eligible.
Because vaccine doses continue remain in short supply, the city’s vaccination centers remain by appointment only, and not all those eligible for vaccines will be able to get appointments right away.
Although the city is hoping to eventually vaccinate up to 10,000 people daily across all of its vaccination sites, acquiring enough vaccine remains the biggest challenge, city officials said.
“Getting people who live and work in San Francisco vaccinated as quickly as possible will help us keep our entire community safe and save lives,” Mayor London Breed said in a statement.
“We’ve been dealing with this pandemic for a year now, and throughout that time, our workforce has kept the city going. From the grocery store clerks, child care providers and teachers, to emergency workers and restaurant cooks and waiters, these frontline workers have showed up for all of us, and I’m glad we’re able to move forward with expanding vaccine eligibility to include them. While appointments are still very limited due to supply, we’re ready to ramp up our vaccination sites and open up appointments as we get more vaccine doses.”
Phase 1B accounts for about 168,000 people who live and work in San Francisco, while Phase 1A accounts for about 210,000 health care workers and residents 65 years old and above.
While vaccinations for Phase 1A continues, so far, the city has successfully vaccinated 80 percent of those eligible under Phase 1A.
Those now eligible for the vaccine can sign up for an appointment as they become available at www.sf.gov/getvaccinated.