San Rafael, CA – Starting March 5, Marin County residents who have been unable to make their own COVID-19 vaccination appointments via the internet can call a new Access Service Center at 833-641-1988 to get assistance from a real live human being.
The Marin Access Service Call-Center is intended for local residents without internet service who need assistance with registration, transportation, and communication related to the vaccination process. Those eligible to receive call center assistance are:
- age 65 or older
- living with disabilities (all ages)
- in need of home care or personal assistance
- need language interpretation (including ASL)
- have limited or no internet access
- need help arranging transportation to and from an appointment
The Access Service Call Center is a collaboration between the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Vivalon, the San Rafael-based nonprofit, formerly known as Whistlestop. Staff members from County HHS, Vivalon, the all-volunteer Marin Medical Reserve Corps and disaster service workers (DSW) from the both the State and County of Marin employee ranks will assist callers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday until the pandemic subsides.
A second appointment hotline for eligible vaccine residents of all ages is offered through the State of California at (833) 422-4255.
The new local phone number will be a welcomed relief from technological challenges; not everybody has a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone and can navigate the web quickly. Kris Christie, a Public Health Nurse with Marin County Public Health’s Aging and Adult Services Division, is helping to develop and improve the Access Service Center.
“The vaccination registration process is heavily tech-influenced, and what we’re doing is meeting the needs of individuals who may not use the latest technology or need other accommodations,” Christie said. “As the tiers open up and more doses become available, we have to be flexible and ensure that all of our residents have equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine.”
The center’s staff has been making outgoing calls to assist with vaccination registration since February 8 and have now recruited and trained enough workers to handle incoming calls.
To help connect all eligible residents with available appointments, the County has created an online interest form. Residents can answer a few questions to be subscribed to receive email, text message, or pre-recorded phone call notifications when their turn has arrived and how to pursue a vaccine appointment. The form is available in multiple languages on Public Health’s vaccine webpage.
Everything a resident needs to know about the vaccination process can be read on GetVaccinatedMarin.org, including frequently asked questions, and myths versus facts. Stay informed of progress by subscribing to Public Health’s daily status updates. The emails contain information on vaccine progress, announcements of when new vaccination phases open, and other relevant COVID-19 information.