February 5, 2021 – Today the State of California released a revised system for vaccine eligibility. Nevada County Public Health continues to follow the guidelines for vaccine eligibility as defined by the State of California.

We continue to received a very limited supply of vaccine, with an average of 1,850 doses a week. This total includes both first and second doses. Although the state has increased vaccine eligibility, access locally remains dependent of vaccine supply. And that supply from the state remains very limited. With the revisions below, we estimate that there are now 40,000 people who fit in to Phase 1B. This is in addition to the 7,000 in Phase 1A. 

We are working to vaccinate all eligible groups as quickly and safely as possible, with current vaccine supply. Thank you for your patience and for being ready to be vaccinated. 

Today’s Key Revisions

The state has moved to an age-based framework. There are currently no tiers and only two Phases. The state’s full framework is the image below.

State Vaccine Framework as of Feb 5 - includes Phase 1A and B only Opens in new window

Go to Nevada County’s Vaccine Schedule page for more detail on who is included in each sector.

What is an age-based framework?

  • People age 65+ are eligible, based on available supply. We continue to receive very limited supply of vaccine. Per the state, 75+ is no longer prioritized.

What do the phases look like now?

  • Based on available supply, individuals described below are or will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. All populations within Phase 1B are now equally prioritized.
    • Healthcare workers and long-term care facilities (Phase 1A, all tiers)
    • Persons 65 years of age and older (Phase 1B)
    • Sector populations: Education and Childcare, Emergency Services, Food and Agriculture (Phase 1B)

Where are the other tiers from the old vaccine schedule?

  • The state has eliminated what was Phase 1B Tier Two and Phase 1C.
  • The state no longer defines any tiers in Phase 1A. 

Who are considered eligible healthcare workers?

  • Healthcare workers in Phase 1A have been further defined. This includes people at risk of direct patient exposure in healthcare settings. This includes both clinical and non-clinical roles.  
  • For our full list, visit our Vaccine Schedule page.

Who is considered education and childcare?

  • Until today, this was K-12 school staff. The state has now expanded the definition of groups included in Phase 1B Education and Childcare. 
  • This does not mean that this group is fully eligible locally. This is dependent on vaccine availability. We continue to receive very limited supply of vaccine.
  • Education and Child Care includes persons at risk of occupational exposure to COVID through their work in:
    • All formal and informal childcare workers, including day care providers
    • All staff in colleges, universities, junior colleges, community colleges, and other postsecondary education facilities
    • All staff in educational support services and administration
    • All staff in pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high schools
    • All staff in technical and trade schools
    • Any other workers involved in child and/or student care, including school bus drivers and monitors, crosswalk guards, etc.

Are veterinarians considered healthcare workers?

  • The state has defined veterinary services as included in Phase 1B Food & Agricultural workers.  In the context of COVID-19 vaccine, the focus for Phase 1A is on human-to-human exposures in human clinical settings.

Where do cannabis industry employees fall?

  • The state has provided clarification on where cannabis industry workers are eligible
  • Medicinal cannabis: Phase 1A
  • Growing, production, storage, transport and distribution: Phase 1B Food and Ag

Who else is included in Food and Ag?

  • Persons at risk of occupational exposure to COVID through their work in any role in the Food and Agriculture Sectors from CA Essential Workforce list and any employee working in a restaurant to the extent not described in the Food and Agriculture Sectors from the CA Essential Worker list. 
  • Access to the vaccine is dependent on supply. At this time, we have very limited supply and so not all groups on the state’s list are eligible locally. 

Where can I learn more about this revision?

Please stay informed as this is an evolving situation and continue to be patient as we meet this unprecedented challenge

  • Bookmark our COVID-19 vaccination page and check back regularly
  • Text VACCINEINFO to 898211 to receive text updates from Public Health straight to your smartphone
  • Subscribe for those same alerts via email by filling out this on-line form
  • Call 211 (1-833-DIAL211) with questions about your tier or other general questions about COVID-19
  • YubaNet will be hosting weekly, short webinars every Thursday at noon to provide updates on COVID-19 and vaccine distribution in Nevada County. Register here – only one registration for all webinars is required.

Thank you to our partners who are helping to vaccinate our community. Our COVID-19 vaccination efforts could not succeed without your partnership and your commitment to our community’s health.

Vaccination is an essential tool for ending this pandemic. Even after you are vaccinated, we must all stay vigilant and continue to wear masks, keep our distance, wash our hands, and avoid gatherings so that we can return to a more normal way of life as quickly as possible.