Feb_2021_Newsletter

Department employees join countywide effort to rollout COVID-19 vaccination to elderly

As the Riverside County Department of Public Health continues COVID-19 vaccination clinics, DPSS employees are providing a healthy dose of support. Employees are volunteering at clinics and booking appointments over the phone to help vaccinate as many of the county’s 2.5 million residents as possible against the coronavirus. Among the volunteers – four employees from Adult Services who helped check in hundreds of residents lining up to get their shots recently at the Indio Fairgrounds. “Many people want to get vaccinated as we saw. We’re here to help people and it’s why we answered the call,” said Ashley Davis, a secretary in Adult Services. “Many of those being vaccinated are seniors. Helping the vulnerable is what we do. It’s gratifying work and residents appreciated us explaining the vaccination process,” said Shawntella Quinney, an office assistant in Adult Services. “We appreciate our staff who have stepped up to help our most vulnerable and others in this important moment. They’re demonstrating that we’re all in this together to help save lives in our communities,” said DPSS Chief of Investigations Shawn Ferris. DPSS recently activated its Department Operations Center and mobilized dozens of employees to assist at in-person Public Health clinics and with booking vaccination appointments over the phone. DPSS staff are working with the County’s 2-1-1 line and a virtual call center through Office on Aging to schedule appointments for older residents who often struggle using the internet or other technology necessary to schedule vaccine appointments. The volunteer assignments vary. “We are grateful for each person who is able to help our at-risk communities fight and recover from the impacts of this pandemic,” said Chad Burkitt, who’s leading the Department Operations Center during the vaccine rollout.

DPSS NEWS

RUHS Public Health Nurse Jackie Dodge vaccinates a Riverside County resident at a vaccination clinic at Corona High School on January 25, 2021.

Shawntella Quinney (LEFT) and Jasmine Mason, both Office Assistant III, work at the vaccination clinic in Indio on January 17, 2021.

Interested in volunteering? Reach out to your supervisor or manager to learn more. Want to know who qualifies to receive the vaccine and community partners providing it? Visit this website: https://www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine

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