Covid19 Information for Seniors

covid-19 vaccine information

COVID-19 Booster Vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommend that certain groups of people who completed a two-dose series of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to receive a booster dose of Pfizer six months afterward or later.

People previously vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine who should receive a booster, according to the CDPH, include:

  • those who are 65 or older

  • residents of long-term care facilities

  • those who are 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions or who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 due to social inequities, including those from communities of color

People previously vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine who may consider receiving a booster, based on their individual benefits and risks, include:

  • those who are 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions

  • those who are 18 to 64 and at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to their occupation or institutional setting

Booster doses of vaccine are not currently recommended for others, including people who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine. CCHS will promptly post updates at cchealth.org/coronavirus as more information becomes available.

The best place for most Contra Costa residents to seek COVID-19 vaccine is through their own healthcare providers or their local neighborhood pharmacies. COVID-19 vaccine is now plentiful, and CCHS is in regular communication with community healthcare providers, clinics and pharmacies to ensure that all eligible residents can access vaccine.

Appointments for booster doses are now available at CCHS's free vaccination clinics in Antioch, Concord and Richmond. Patients are required to attest that they meet the CDC and CDPH requirements to receive booster doses. Make an appointment online or by calling 1-833-829-2626. https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/get-vaccinated

So far more than 85% of Contra Costa residents who are 12 or older have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 80% are fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated residents are about five times more likely to become infected with COVID-19 in Contra Costa, compared to vaccinated residents, and 16 times more likely to be hospitalized.

For information about pharmacies and providers that offer COVID-19 vaccine in Contra Costa County, visit CCHealth's Get Vaccinated page.

https://cchealth.org/press-releases/2021/0927-COVID-19-Booster-Vaccine.php

Contra Costa Health Services is working closely with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to fairly distribute a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to everyone in our community.

Vaccine appointment Guide: 

https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/appointment-guide

Vaccinations Now Available to Those 12+

More information can also be found at: https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/vaccine

VACCINE APPOINTMENT HOTLINE  

The number for the line is 1-833-VAX-COCO (1-833-829-2926). The phone line is intended to assist those who are unable to schedule vaccine appointments online. The phone line is available Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 

avoid Covid-19 vaccine scams

Avoid Vaccination Scams

three ways to avoid covid-19 scams

While vaccination details are getting worked out, here's what you can be sure of:

  • You can't pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine.  That's a scam.
  • You can't pay to get early access to the vaccine.  That's a scam.
  • Legitimate callers will NOT call about the vaccine nor ask for your social security, bank account, or credit card number.  That's a scam.

Ignore any vaccine offers that say different, or ask for personal or financial information.

Learn more at:

Beware of Ongoing Scams

Police throughout the Tri-Valley have been getting calls from residents about various scams going on. Many of these scams target seniors. 

Some of these include:

1. Contacting victims and offering a ‘special coronavirus test.’ Some charge a fee, while others seek personal information such as social security number or medicare ID.

2. In a similar vein, scammers are attempting to ‘sell’ reservations for a coronavirus vaccine.

3. Victims are reporting getting emails or texts from services such as Netflix or Amazon stating that they have made a purchase and should click on a link to cancel the order.

These are only a few that have been reported. The main takeaways are that no agency will be requiring Social Security numbers or Medicaid numbers to provide service. Additionally, no legitimate service would be soliciting for reservations for the vaccine. If it seems off or sketchy, do not follow through. Contact the police and ask questions.

Check in on your older neighbors with a call, text or physically-distanced door knock to make sure they’re ok. 

For questions or and get assistance during this crisis call 833-544-2374  

The 2-1-1 system is able to help older Californians access grocery and medication delivery while staying at home.

Find Your Five, make a list of five people you know and trust to check in with regularly.

TRUSTED RESOURCES

The California Department on Aging encourages seniors to reach out to 5 trusted friends or family members during this Pandemic.  Friends and family can help seniors obtain essential items such as medication and food. 

During this time seniors are encouraged to go to trusted resources for information on the virus including:

California State Website about COVID-19  Covid19.ca.gov
Contra Costa County Health Services https://cchealth.org/
California Department on Aging https://www.aging.ca.gov/
Town of Danville Website http://www.danville.ca.gov

OTHER SENIOR RESOURCES

Phone Resource Guide for Seniors (PDF)

Contra Costa County Aging and Adult Services Information & Assistance 

The Information & Assistance (I&A) helpline is a program of Contra Costa County’s Employment & Human Services Department. Seniors, adults with disabilities, and caregivers may call I&A to speak with knowledgeable social workers to get information, referrals to other services, and assistance with solving problems.  I&A social workers will listen to your needs and provide information and referrals to community services that may be able to assist you.

https://ehsd.org/elderly-disabled/information-assistance/

(925) 284-6109

COUNSELING SUPPORT FOR SENIORS

Discovery Counseling Center of San Ramon Valley 

Counseling, Intervention and Support For Seniors 

(925) 837-0505

Older Adult Mental Health

(925) 521-5620

www.cchealth.org/mentalhealth

MEAL ASSISTANCE

Meals on Wheels 

https://www.mowdiabloregion.org/

(925) 937-8607

Meals on Wheels West Contra Costa Region is providing resources to CalFresh to provide application assistance to interested people. 

CalFresh is the California implementation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the Food Stamp program, which provides financial assistance for purchasing food to low-income California residents. 

For information on applying for a CalFresh EBT card to buy food at participating grocery stores and Farmers’ Markets, fill out the Contact form.

Contra Costa County Health Services Food Assistance for Seniors 

https://www.foodbankccs.org/get-help/foodbycity.html

(925) 676-7543

It's normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis. Talking to people y