New South Bay COVID-19 Vaccine Site Targets Hard-Hit Communities

SAN JOSE, CA — A new COVID-19 vaccination site in the South Bay will administer up to 500 shots a day and focus on ensuring that communities hardest hit by the pandemic will have access to vaccines, Santa Clara County public health officials announced on Tuesday.

The Emmanuel Baptist Church in East San Jose, which has served as a COVID-19 testing center since last fall, will now also provide vaccinations. The 95127 zip code, where the church is located, has one of the highest case rates in the region. Approximately 1 in 10 residents have contracted COVID-19 in the zip code. County officials said that the vaccine site would serve a “diverse cross-section” of the East San Jose community.

“Emmanuel’s location in one of the communities hardest hit by the pandemic combined with their deep roots and strong ties with the African/African Ancestry community across Santa Clara County make them an incredible partner as the county continues to center our vaccination efforts on reaching communities most impacted by the pandemic,” said Dr. Jennifer Tong, Associate Chief Medical Officer for Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, in a news release.

The site will be open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will begin this week as a walk-in site with no appointments required. These targeted locations will supplement large-scale vaccination sites like Levi’s Stadium, according to Tong.

“Our county remains laser focused on maintaining equity in vaccine distribution,” Tong said in a press briefing on Tuesday. “This site will be a critical part of our multifaceted strategies to reach the communities that are hardest hit and have the most difficulties in accessing health care.”

Pastor John Reynolds said that a number of church members have succumbed to COVID-19.

“Having those conversations, knowing loved ones couldn’t see their loved ones again, having to say goodbye via Facetime was just really, really challenging,” Reynolds said. “Even our grief process, which has totally changed in the era of COVID — we just desire to try to help.”

Currently, all Santa Clara County residents 65 and older, healthcare workers and certain frontline workers such as teachers, emergency responders and those in the food and agriculture industries are eligible to receive a vaccine.

Sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine at sccfreevax.org