A Dozen Counties Criticized OptumServe for Vaccine Clinic Problems, Documents Show
California agreed to pay OptumServe up to $221 million during the pandemic to coordinate and operate dozens of vaccination sites.
But the health care company’s work in at least a dozen counties has been plagued by miscommunication and staffing shortages.
Officials from at least 12 counties complained to the state Department of Public Health about delays and other problems with OptumServe, saying that the problems hampered their ability to get shots into arms, according to state documents obtained through a Public Records Act request.
The company has fallen far short of the up to 100,000 daily vaccine doses it told the state in its contracts that it could deliver. It has helped administer about 370,000 doses since January just 1.1% of California’s nearly 34 million during that span. At several vaccine sites, OptumServe failed to deliver the minimum 420 doses it pledged to distribute each day
Organizers say the goal is to provide better access for people to get vaccinated at more convenient locations.
May 18 - May 22: Antioch Middle, Concord High
May 25 - May 29: Edna Hill Middle (Brentwood), Pinole Valley High (Pinole), Pittsburg High, Ygnacio Valley High (Concord)
June 1 - June 5: Acalanes High (Lafayette), Dallas Ranch Middle (Antioch), Freedom High (Oakley) , Iron Horse Middle (San Ramon), Kennedy High (Richmond), Mt. Diablo High (Concord)
June 8 - June 12: Antioch Middle, California High (San Ramon), Concord High, De Anza High (Richmond), Las Lomas High (Walnut Creek), Liberty High (Brentwood)
June 15 - June 19: Dougherty Valley High (San Ramon), Edna Hill Middle (Brentwood), Pinole Valley High (Pinole), Pittsburg High, Ygnacio Valley High (Concord)
By Kathy Chouteau
Starting next week, certain Contra Costa County public school campuses will host free COVID-19 vaccine clinics for students ages 12 and over and other community members. Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and Kaiser Permanente will team up with the Contra Costa Office of Education and several school districts to begin rolling out mobile vaccine clinics to schools countywide Tues., May 18.
According to CCHS, mobile clinics will visit new campuses weekly, returning later to administer second-dose appointments. While not all school campuses will offer vaccines, those that will have them will welcome anyone who is eligible, including students from other schools, families and community members.
Chevron extinguishes fire at California refinery
5/14/2021
Chevron Corp said a fire that broke out at its 245,271 barrel-per-day Richmond, California refinery has been extinguished and no injuries were reported.
In addition to the refinery fire crew, the Richmond fire department responded to the fire, the company said in a statement, adding the plant also experienced a process unit upset that caused some flaring.
A spokesperson from the Contra Costa Health Services department said it has requested a report on the incident within 72 hours.
“This report will give the refinery a chance to investigate the incident now that emergency conditions have been abated and provide details to our agency so that we can work together to identify root causes and prevent future similar issues,” it said.