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Stanford
COVID-19 Health Alerts

COVID Vaccinations

On this page you will find general information about COVID vaccines, as well as information to help you determine your eligibility to receive a vaccine, and where to receive a vaccine if you’re eligible, based on the county in which you reside.

Current status

  • Our state and county governments are focusing on the role of healthcare organizations and pharmacies in administering vaccines. At this time, Stanford University has not received any vaccine doses for distribution.
  • Stanford Health Care is providing COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible populations, including those 65+ years of age.  Scheduling is through MyHealth or via phone, at 650-498-9000.
  • At this time, Stanford University is not requiring faculty, staff, postdocs, or students to obtain COVID vaccination. 
  • Stanford University’s guidance on face coverings applies, regardless of COVID vaccination status.
  • Stanford University’s COVID-19 surveillance testing policy for faculty, staff, and postdocs applies, regardless of COVID vaccination status. 
  • Stanford University’s COVID-19 surveillance testing policy for students applies, regardless of COVID vaccination status. 

Latest updates

  • VaccineFinder is a new web tool from the CDC, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Castlight Health that can help identify providers who offer COVID-19 vaccines locally.
  • As supply allows, Santa Clara County (starting Feb 28), San Francisco County (starting Feb 24), and San Mateo County (starting Feb 22)will be expanding COVID-19 vaccinations to workers in education and childcare, food and agriculture, and emergency services, who are eligible under the state’s Phase 1B.
  • Some local pharmacies are now offering 1st and 2nd dose vaccinations to eligible groups, with CVS actively scheduling locally.

What should I know about COVID-19 vaccines?

Research indicates that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. There is also evidence that COVID-19 vaccines keep you from getting seriously ill, even if you do get COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a new disease with new vaccines, so information is rapidly emerging about how vaccines can help us stop the pandemic. Please refer to this CDC page for information as it becomes available.

Am I eligible for the COVID vaccine?

Although COVID-19 vaccinations are here, California’s vaccine supply remains limited. The State of California has created a vaccination plan with phases and tiers for when different populations are eligible to receive COVID vaccine. You can sign up for COVID-19  vaccine eligibility updates from the State of California at https://myturn.ca.gov/. 

Refer to your county of residence for eligibility information at the local level. 

Where can I get the COVID vaccine?

The vaccination landscape is changing rapidly, and there are an increasing number of sites  available for vaccination, including government-run locations, healthcare organizations, and some retail pharmacies.

While Stanford Hospital, as well as other large healthcare providers such as Sutter and Kaiser, are actively providing COVID vaccination, Stanford University has not received any vaccine doses for distribution. Each county has a slightly different approach in meeting state guidelines, based upon their infrastructure and supply.  Please review the information below, understanding that vaccination eligibility and availability may slightly differ between counties and providers.

Alameda County

In Alameda County, the following groups are eligible to be vaccinated:

  • Healthcare workers
  • Long-term care facility employees and residents
  • EMTs, paramedics, dialysis center staff
  • Home health and in-home support service staff 
  • Community health workers, public health field staff, behavioral health providers 
  • Laboratory, dental/oral health, blood bank, pharmacy, and specialty clinic staff
  • Family caregivers for individuals with certain disabling conditions
  • Individuals age 65 and older
  • Education and Child Care workers
  • Essential workers in the emergency services sector (including Law Enforcement)
  • Essential workers in the food/agricultural sector

Please be advised that providers are frequently updating eligibility criteria, based on capacity and vaccine availability.

Click here to see a list of healthcare organizations and providers providing COVID-19 vaccinations in Alameda County.

Contra Costa County

In Contra Costa County, the following groups are eligible to be vaccinated:

  • Healthcare workers
  • Long-term care facility employees and residents 
  • Individuals age 65 and older
  • Frontline essential workers in education and childcare, food and agriculture, and emergency services, and other frontline essential workers

Individuals who are eligible to be vaccinated are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider to make an appointment. Please be advised that providers are frequently updating eligibility criteria, based on capacity and vaccine availability.

Click here to see a list of healthcare organizations and providers providing COVID-19 vaccinations in Contra Costa County.

San Francisco County

In San Francisco County, the following groups are eligible to be vaccinated:

  • Healthcare workers
  • Long-term care facility residents 
  • County residents age 65 and older
  • Starting February 24, San Francisco County will be expanding COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible workers in education and childcare, food and agriculture, and emergency services, as supply allows

Currently, there is not enough vaccine supply to vaccinate everyone who is eligible. 

For healthcare workers in SF:

  • If you are employed by a hospital, vaccination is provided by your employer.
  • If you are employed by a nursing and elder care facility, vaccination is provided on-site at work by the Federal Pharmacy Partnership with Walgreens and CVS, or through alternate arrangements made by your employer.
  • If you are a paramedic or EMT, vaccination is provided by the San Francisco Department of Public Health through your employer.
  • If you are employed by a dialysis center, vaccination is provided by your employer.
  • If you are working in home health and in-home supportive services, check with your usual healthcare provider. If your usual healthcare provider is unable to offer the vaccine, see more information about how to access the vaccine.
Click here to see a list of healthcare organizations and providers providing COVID-19 vaccinations in San Francisco County.

San Mateo County

In San Mateo County, the following groups are eligible to be vaccinated:

  • Healthcare personnel
  • Long-term care facility residents 
  • County residents age 65 and older
  • Eligible workers in education and childcare, food and agriculture, and emergency services

Individuals who are eligible to be vaccinated are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider to make an appointment. Please be advised that providers are frequently updating eligibility criteria, based on capacity and vaccine availability.

For uninsured residents, health insurance is not required to receive the vaccine. 

  • For San Mateo County residents without health insurance but who do have a health care provider (including patients at clinics at San Mateo Medical Center), please contact your healthcare provider.
  • For San Mateo County residents who do not have a provider and would like to enroll in a health plan, please click here. Health insurance is available regardless of immigration status, through a combination of Federal, State, and County programs. Call (650) 616-2002 to speak to an enrollment counselor.

Sign up for COVID vaccine eligibility updates in San Mateo County.

Click here to see a list of healthcare organizations and providers providing COVID-19 vaccinations in San Mateo County.

Santa Clara County

In Santa Clara County, the following groups are eligible to be vaccinated:

  • Healthcare personnel
  • Long-term care facility residents 
  • County residents age 65 and older 
  • Starting February 28, Santa Clara County will be expanding COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible workers in education and childcare, food and agriculture, and emergency services, as supply allows

Individuals who are eligible to be vaccinated are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider to make an appointment. Many healthcare providers are offering vaccinations to all eligible county residents, regardless of their healthcare care provider or insurance.

Click here to see a list of healthcare organizations and providers providing COVID-19 vaccinations in Santa Clara County.

Santa Cruz County

In Santa Cruz County, the following groups are eligible to be vaccinated:

  • Acute and healthcare staff, SNF/assisted living facility staff/residents, EMTs, paramedics, dialysis center staff
  • Home health and in-home support services, public health, primary care staff, FQHCs, and urgent care clinics
  • Dental/oral health workers, lab workers, pharmacy staff, specialty clinics
  • Individuals age 65 and older

COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed within Santa Cruz County through the local health care system, including Public Health. At this time, vaccine supplies are limited, and it is uncertain when vaccines will be available for all sectors. Phases and Tiers may change at any time based on recommendations by the CDC and California Department of Public Health.

Click here to see a list of healthcare organizations and providers providing COVID-19 vaccinations in Santa Cruz County.