City Announces New Website With Updates on COVID Vaccine

As a way to keep the community updated and provide a link for healthcare workers to learn about obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine, Pasadena officials on Wednesday launched a new webpage with information about the vaccine.

From the start of the pandemic, officials contend data and science have guided the city’s response to COVID-19, and they say that continues to be true when it comes to vaccines. 

Pasadena continues to distribute and administer the approved safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines as quickly as possible. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have received approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), require two doses, and provide similar efficacy. 

The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) is managing the process of vaccine distribution and dispensing and will be following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). 

PPHD is working with healthcare system partners to make vaccine access equitable and available to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, in the order of the state prioritization.

Phases and tiers are subject to change, but currently include: 

• Phase 1a—Vaccinating now
  • Healthcare workers providing direct care and residents and staff of long-term care facilities 

• Phase 1b Tier One
  • People ages 75 years and over 
  • Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: education, childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture 

• Phase 1b Tier Two
  • People ages 65-74 years 
  • Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: transportation and logistics; industrial, commercial, residential, and sheltering facilities and services; critical manufacturing
  • Congregate settings with outbreak risk: incarcerated and homeless
• Phase 1c
  • Individuals 50 -64 years of age
  • People 16-64 years of age and have an underlying health condition or disability which increases their risk of severe COVID-19
  • Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: water and wastewater; defense; energy; chemical and hazardous materials; communications and IT; financial services; government operations / community-based essential functions

Pasadena has a disproportionately high number of long-term care facilities per 100,000 residents, relative to neighboring jurisdictions. At PPHD’s request, 13 of Pasadena’s skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and 97 assisted living and residential care facilities enrolled in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-term Care (LTC) Program. The program has partnered with local pharmacies that will facilitate safe vaccination of this critical patient population, while reducing the burden on LTC facilities (LTCF). 

At no cost to facilities, the program provides end-to-end management of the COVID-19 vaccination process, including cold chain management, on-site vaccinations, and fulfillment of reporting requirements. 

LTCFs are coordinating appointments with the pharmacy partners, and all SNFs are scheduled to have had at least one vaccine visit with the pharmacies by the week of Jan. 11. 

PPHD is also administering vaccines to staff members of local skilled nursing and assisted living facilities and dialysis centers this week, and continues to vaccinate Pasadena Fire Department emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Partnerships with local pharmacies are also being coordinated to ensure access to vaccines for individuals who qualify for Phase 1a. 

According to CDPH, the vaccine is likely to be available to the general public in Spring and Summer 2021. 

For more information on vaccine administration and planning, visit https://www.cityofpasadena.net/public-health/covid-19-vaccine/ or call (626) 744-6000. 

Healthcare providers who are eligible and able to do so are encouraged to sign up to receive and provide vaccines. The provider registration portal, COVIDReadi, can be found at this link: https://ca.covidreadi.com/.

To stay connected with the city of Pasadena, visit  www.cityofpasadena.net; follow on Twitter @PasadenaGov, www.twitter.com/pasadenagov, and Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofpasadena.  Or call the Citizen Service Center, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (626) 744-7311.