Help your neighbor get vaccinated

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY—Not everyone who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine can navigate a web page, download an app, or locate a stray email. For many of us, signing up to get an appointment can be a real challenge.

That is why Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) is sharing Help Your Neighbor, a new community call to action for everybody who lives or works in the county to ensure that our friends, family members and neighbors can get a COVID-19 immunization appointment when they are eligible.

There are plenty of ways to lend a hand. Can your organization start a phone bank to help its members get registered? Does your business have room for a window flier? Do you have a friend who is eligible – and have they made an appointment? The best way to find out is to ask.

CCHS has an online request form for eligible county residents who need appointments and a call center, 1-833-829-2626.

CCHS encourages you to use our new Help Your Neighbor web page, which has videos and how-to resources to help residents and their helpers make COVID-19 immunization appointments, and a growing selection of printable fliers and COVID-19 vaccination resources.

Send email to doc.pio@cchealth.org to let them know how you plan to Help Your Neighbor.

Free rides to vaccine appointments

CCHS (through Contra Costa Health Plan) can provide transportation assistance to eligible residents on Medi-Cal. Contra Costa Health Plan will cover the cost of transportation (e.g bus, Lyft or cab) to get to an appointment. In order to arrange for transportation through CCHP, requests need to be made 7-10 days before the ride

To request a ride call 1-833-829-2626, or 1-833-VAX-COCO. Please be aware that wait times on the phone can be long. There is an option to confirm your phone number and request a call back.

If you are in need a wheelchair or gurney transport, you will need a referral from your physician for authorization through CCHPs “medical transport” unit. The number for medical transports is (877) 800-7423.

Both of the above phone numbers are staffed between 8am – 5pm daily.

Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Mitchoff at supervisormitchoff@bos.cccounty.us