16-and-older vaccines get ‘overwhelming’ response. When will more slots open in Sacramento?

In a major step forward, UC Davis Health in Sacramento opened appointments Tuesday for anyone age 16 and older to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine - and quickly ran out of available slots this week due to an “overwhelming” response, officials said.

The local health system is the first in Sacramento to expand virus inoculations to the entire adult population. The state of California has instructed counties to do the same beginning on April 15. Most vaccinations are reserved for people 50 and older, and people will underlying health conditions.

“This is the day we have all been waiting for, when we can essentially vaccinate all adults,” UC Davis Health spokesman Steve Telliano said Tuesday morning. “A year ago at this time, we were in a lockdown and seeing a surge in cases.

“It is great to be at this point, and really hopefully to get on top of the virus spread.”

UC Davis made the announcement on its Facebook page Monday night. The appointments are available to both UC Davis Health patients and people who are not UC Davis patients, with or without underlying health conditions.

But, by mid-afternoon Tuesday, the health system sent out new notices saying they have had overwhelming demand and that all appointment slots for this week are now booked up.

UC Davis Health officials said on Facebook “more appointments will be added in the coming days.”

The UC Davis Health online page for patients to schedule appointments is at https://ucdavis.health/3sOOR7o. Those who are not already UC Davis Health patients can schedule at https://ucdavis.health/3mjLItY.

The future appointment dates will be available as vaccination doses are available, UC Davis said.

Telliano said UC Davis health officials decided this week to open vaccinations to lower age groups ahead of the state plan because the health system has been getting more vaccine shipments, and more reliable shipments, and because the number of people signing up for shots dropped off slightly.

“We have found over the past couple of days we are not getting enough people from (the state’s) MyTurn (website) and other places to fill all those appointments,” he said. “Rather than have vaccine sitting, we decided to move to the next level, to make sure we are using the vaccine that we have.”

UC Davis Health is also reaching out to local churches to recruit people for shots who otherwise might be hesitant, and has begun sending vaccine teams out to people who are homebound.

This story was originally published April 6, 2021 at 8:12 AM.