San Joaquin County (SJC) residents who are homebound or unable to leave their home for health reasons can now get the COVID-19 vaccine with the help of a mobile team of vaccinating public health nurses. Through a simple online survey or call to 1-833-422-4255, eligible residents can sign up to receive the COVID-19 shot from a trained public health nurse (PHN) in the comfort of their home.
Now that everyone age 12 and older can get the COVID-19 vaccine, many have already received their vaccinations at multiple vaccination sites throughout the county. However, not everyone can make the journey to one of these locations because their age, physical mobility, or health condition hinders their ability to leave their home. These individuals are also likely to be at higher risk for getting COVID-19 and need the vaccine to protect themselves and people around them.
There are currently three authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the United States that will protect people from the disease. All of them are safe and highly effective to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. They are free to all residents that are age eligible, regardless of immigration status, insurance, or health status.
In order to qualify for in-home COVID-19 vaccination, an individual must be a San Joaquin County resident AND homebound. Homebound is defined as someone who needs the help of another person or medical equipment such as crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair to leave their home, or their doctor believes that their health or illness could get worse if they leave their home, AND it is difficult for them to leave their home and they typically cannot do so.
For a limited time, residents can request a PHN from SJC Public Health Services (PHS) to come out and administer the COVID-19 vaccine for homebound residents by following this link https://tinyurl.com/SJHBVAX and completing a brief survey, or calling 1-833-422-4255 for assistance from a state representative. A caregiver or conservator may fill out the survey on an individual’s behalf. They will be contacted by a PHS staff person to schedule the free visit with the PHN.
In addition to homebound residents, adult caregivers, family members, and other people who assist these individuals should also be vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is free and available at multiple approved locations in SJC. Go online to MyTurn.ca.gov or call 1-833-422-4255 to speak with someone in Spanish and schedule to get the vaccine at the nearest or most convenient vaccination location.
Some people may experience side effects from the vaccine such as arm pain, swelling, tiredness, headache, and fever. It is important to know that these are just signs that the vaccine is working and they will go away after a few days. This does not mean you have COVID-19. You become fully immune two weeks after the last shot.
Together, we can end this pandemic faster when more people are vaccinated and help stop the spread of COVID-19.
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