Important vaccination update and video message
Dear OCEA member,
The availability of COVID-19 vaccinations has raised hopes for an end to the country's unprecedented health crisis. Unfortunately, the vaccine rollout has created significant confusion, especially as it relates to essential workers. We wanted to provide a brief update on vaccination availability and share a video message to you and your coworkers from OCEA’s staff.
Vaccination update
OCEA has been in constant communication with CEO Frank Kim and County HR representatives since the start of the pandemic. Our communications, which originally focused on the County’s safety protocols, now include updates on the rollout of and access to the COVID-19 vaccine. The County, with a population of almost 3.2 million, has very little control over the size of the County’s dose allotment or who will be eligible to receive it. State public health authorities, who make such determinations, provided 200,000 doses to the County for the Phase 1A allocation. Much of the allocated doses went to hospitals and health providers because the priorities are health workers in direct contact with residents or patients and people older than 65. According to the County, there are 600,000 eligible people in Phase 1A and only 90,000 of them have been vaccinated. Currently, the County only has 120,000 Phase 1A vaccination appointments scheduled. You can review the county's vaccination availability schedule here.
The California Labor Federation, which includes OCEA, is advocating to have more classifications of essential workers included in the current rollout. However, the lack of vaccine availability remains the biggest challenge to expanded access. OCEA encourages patience and understanding as we continue to aggressively advocate for the expansion of eligible classifications.
"We Care" video message
OCEA Stewards and staff work hard every day to make sure you are treated fairly on the job. This brief video, recorded remotely, is a message from OCEA’s Leadership, Representation, and Benefits Teams. As workers, we understand what you are going through and will continue to stand with you through these extraordinary times. You can click here or the play button above to view the three-minute video.
The OCEA support staff, our Velece Insurance agents, and the Special Events Team are also working tirelessly to support you. OCEA's Organizing Team continues to deliver PPE to County workers. If you need hand sanitizers and/or masks for your workplace, contact us at info@ocea.org. The safety, security, and stability of OCEA members has been and remains our first concern.
We will get through this by standing together.
In Solidarity,
Charles Barfield
OCEA General Manager
Publication Date: February 2, 2021
