S.E. Williams | Executive Editor
To ensure COVID-19 vaccinations meet safety requirements, California formed a Scientific Safety Review Workgroup of experts, which has confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccines authorized by FDA are safe and effective.
The experts identified as the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup have since recommended both Pfizer (on Dec. 13) and Moderna (on Dec. 20) Vaccines. The Workgroup confirmed to the governors of California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington both vaccines are safe and effective for public use.
Now that a limited supply of vaccines is available and being administered to healthcare and long-term care residents, inland area residents are eager to understand how the vaccines will be administered to the public.
According to the California Department of Health, the next to be vaccinated will be individuals who have higher risk for severe disease or death due to age or other factors; are unable to work at home; live or work in geographic areas that have been highly impacted; and/or are most likely to spread disease to other workers or to the public. These individuals will be prioritized in phases. See accompanying charts for Riverside and San Bernardino.
CDPH noted the COVID-19 vaccines will protect Californians from the virus that causes COVID-19 without having to get the illness. It further advises those being vaccinated that it typically takes a few weeks after the last dose in a COVID-19 series to become fully protected.
“On the days after taking the vaccine, you may have a sore arm, aches, fatigue, or fever, but these are not harmful. These symptoms signal that your immune system is developing protection from the virus,” the agency confirmed.
Visit rivcoph.org/coronavirus to stay up to date on vaccine administration in Riverside County, see COVID-19 Vaccine in the right-hand column. Residents in San Bernardino County can visit sbcovid19.com/vaccine to learn more about COVID-19 Vaccine administration in their region.
- San Bernardino County COVID-19 Vaccination Tiers
- Riverside County COVID-19 Vaccination Tiers