State launches Vaccine Incentive Program as Kern County remains in Orange Tier

Kern County remains in the Orange Tier (Tier 3) of the COVID-19 Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Every county is assigned to one of four tiers based on the adjusted case rate, testing positivity rate and health equity metric.

Below is a summary of Kern County’s current metrics and a comparison of Kern’s metrics last week:

The state has announced that California will be moving beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy on June 15 and the economy will fully open if two criteria are met:

• If vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated; and

• If hospitalization rates are stable and low

When the Blueprint retires on June 15, all sectors listed in the current Blueprint for a Safer Economy grid may return to usual operations in compliance with Cal/OSHA requirements and with common-sense public health policies in place, such as required masking, testing and with vaccinations encouraged. Large-scale indoor events, such as conventions, will be allowed to occur with testing or vaccination verification requirements. Learn more by visiting the state website http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Beyond-Blueprint-Framework.aspx.

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom launched a statewide vaccine incentive program designed to motivate Californians to get their vaccination leading up to the state’s reopening on June 15. For more information, visit COVID19.ca.gov/vax-for-the-win.

“We hope that our community will take advantage of this opportunity to receive a gift card or cash prize, while also reaping the ultimate reward of protection against this deadly virus that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine provides” says Brynn Carrigan, Director of Kern County Public Health. “Vaccination remains the safest and fastest path to immunity for yourself and entire community.”

As of today, 260,558 people have completed their COVID-19 vaccination series, which is about 28.3 percent of our total population and 36.3 percent of our eligible population, which is 12 years of age and older. Another 64,996 people have received one dose of their two-dose series, meaning 45.4 percent of our eligible population is either fully or partially vaccinated.

The Public Health COVID-19 vaccine nurse hotline is available from 7 a.m. to

7 p.m., seven days a week. Call or text (661) 677-4177 to ask your vaccine related questions.

The Kern County Fairgrounds Mass Vaccination Clinic offers Pfizer vaccine from the comfort of your car. The clinic operates Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can be made at http://www.MyTurn.ca.gov but are not required. Other vaccinating providers are available throughout the community and can be found on the Vaccinating Providers Map at phweb.kerncounty.com/Html5Viewer/index.html?viewer=COVID19Vaccination#.