City of Riverside’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Off to Great Start
Published: 2/2/2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 3, 2021
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Public Information Officer
951-826-5975
City of Riverside’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Off to Great Start
About 500 doses of vaccine administered daily; another 2,500 appointments made available
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The City of Riverside’s new COVID-19 vaccination site is off to a great start, administering an average of almost 500 doses of the vaccine to the public on each of the first three days and setting another 2,500 appointments through next week.
The site just north of the Riverside Convention Center really hit its stride on Tuesday, the third day the vaccination clinic was open to the public, when staff administered 580 doses of the Moderna vaccine. That followed strong showings on Monday (440 doses) and on the opening day, Saturday (460 doses).
The clinic is a partnership with Curative Inc., which runs the clinic, and Riverside County, which provides the vaccine.
“It’s very gratifying to see our city’s efforts to increase the rate of vaccination begin to show dividends,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said. “These vaccines, combined with the continued adherence to wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing, will help us slow the spread of the virus and begin down the path to recovery.”
The vaccine is currently available to people who live or work in Riverside County, are 65 or older or work in Phase 1A (all tiers) or Phase 1B (tier 1). Anyone interested in getting vaccinated should determine whether they are part of the groups, which are shown in this chart.
A few dozen remaining doses of the Moderna vaccine, which the site has used exclusively so far, were administered today (2/3). Curative staff will spend the rest of the day completing training for administering 2,500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in quantities of 500 per day for the next five days.
Appointments to receive the Pfizer vaccine on Thursday, Friday and next Monday-Wednesday were made available Tuesday afternoon at https://vaccine.riversideca.gov and were quickly snapped up. The site is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and appointments will be added on a rolling basis as the availability of additional vaccine is confirmed.
Each person who is vaccinated will receive a vaccination card that makes clear which vaccine they received. The Moderna vaccine requires a second shot on the 28th day or later, while the Pfizer vaccine requires a second shot on the 21st day or later. The second shot must be the same vaccine as the first shot. The second shot can be scheduled through the same website as appointments open closer to each person’s respective 21st or 28th day.
The vaccination site is a partnership between the City of Riverside and Curative Inc., which also operates the highly successful COVID-19 testing sites around Riverside. Testing remains available and recommended. To schedule a test, visit RiversideCA.gov/testing.
“Our ability to innovate our way into increased testing, and now to first-ever vaccinations, is very encouraging,” Mayor Pro Tem Jim Perry said. “This site will really help Riverside residents and people who work in our city have convenient access to the vaccine.”
Nobody will be vaccinated without an appointment. No walk-up vaccinations or on-site registrations will be permitted.
People who get appointments and are eligible because of their age should bring a photo identification card showing their birth date. People who get appointments and are eligible because of their work should plan to bring an identification badge and/or letter from work proving eligibility. No-cost parking is available.
Everyone who gets an appointment should plan to wear a mask or face covering while at the vaccination site. Vaccine supply and appointments are limited. All appointments are subject to change due to vaccine availability. More appointment dates will be scheduled as future vaccine availability is confirmed. Check the website regularly.
For the latest information and resources regarding COVID-19 -- www.RiversideCA.gov/COVID-19
