The COVID-19 mass vaccination site at the Kern County Fairgrounds will open to the public on Wednesday, January 27. This follows last week’s soft opening and will be an appointment-only, walk-up vaccination site.

“We are committed to bringing COVID-19 vaccines to the public as quickly and safely as possible,” said Matt Constantine, director of Kern County Public Health. “Through this collaborative effort, we hope it is more convenient for Kern County residents to get vaccinated against this highly contagious virus.”

The site offered vaccinations by appointment only, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, January 27 through Saturday, January 30. The site will begin services gradually and will ramp up based upon vaccine allotment from the state. The first phase is the walk-up portion, which we hope to quickly expand to include drive-thru, with the goal to provide 5,000 vaccinations per day.

The Kern County Fairgrounds location is now accepting appointments. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at this location, call (661) 868-0165.

California’s COVID-19 Vaccine Plan is prioritized based on high risk groups that are defined in several phases as well as tiers within those phases. Currently, those in Phase 1A - healthcare workers, and those 65 years of age and older are eligible for vaccination.

Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are one of the most important interventions to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Public Health is working with state and local partners to be transparent, careful, and above all, equitable in efforts to provide a COVID-19 vaccine to everyone who needs and requests vaccination.

Residents are urged to continue practicing healthy habits such as hand washing, physical distancing and wearing a face covering when in public.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.kernpublichealth.com/coronavirus-vaccine/ for current vaccination information and resources. Additionally, an interactive map is available identifying other community providers who are currently offering vaccinations.