Fresno Co. health officials ramping up resources as vaccine eligibility expands

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- As more Californians become eligible for a vaccine starting April 1st, Fresno County officials are getting ready for the influx of vaccine appointments by ramping up resources and searching for more manpower.

Earlier this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that everyone 50 and over will be able to make an appointment to receive a shot starting April 1st based on an expected increase in vaccine supply.

RELATED: California to expand vaccination eligibility to everyone 16 and older starting April 15

On April 15, even more Californians will be able to get a dose, with eligibility opening to those sixteen and older.

On Friday, health leaders spoke from the vaccine site at Fresno City College, and said they can currently vaccinate 500 people, but hope to expand that number to up to 1,500 as they get more help.

They're also hoping to add vaccine lines and expand vaccination hours.

Health department community division director, Joe Prado, said rural sites will also be crucial to getting doses in arms.

The county is also planning to ramp up mobile units while partnering with UCSF Fresno and local physicians to get more people trained to administer the shots.

"We're onboarding that on a couple of our sites. We're going to see how that rolls out and train more to be ready by mid-April's opening of the tiers," Prado said.

Prado said they are starting to receive more Pfizer vaccines than Moderna, which could provide a challenge as they need to be stored at ultra-low temperatures.

"We're switching our sites over to Pfizer to manage the system, that's a significant shift because it has a stricter cold control, and not all our providers are comfortable with the cold chain control," Prado said.

Prado said if you are trying to make an appointment on MyTurn and they are not eligible, use the occupation of the family member that is eligible.