RRH COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory & Response: Vaccine Availability Update (1.22.21)

Ridgecrest Regional Hospital (RRH) resumed its community drive-thru vaccine clinic today (Friday, January 22), for those patients 65 and older, previously in line and awaiting vaccination.

“Despite the strong, cold winds, our vaccine team were out there today braving the weather to begin to fulfilling our community’s need to be vaccinated,” said Michelle Whalley, RRH Clinic Administrator and Vaccine Task Force Leader. “We’re gearing up for an even busier schedule next week as we administer vaccines via the drive-thru for our community, as well as second doses to our health care workers.”

Due to the very limited vaccine supply at this time, across the county and state, the hospital will now only schedule appointments one week in advance. This is to ensure the RRH has enough COVID-19 vaccines to fulfill the scheduled appointments, with approximately 500 calls in the queue at the end of the week. Staff will continue making calls over the weekend to schedule appointments for those who have been waiting.

Whalley continued, “We would like to reassure the community that our goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible, as soon as additional vaccines from the state are received. We appreciate your patience, and so does our dedicated COVID-19 task force.”

If you would like to be added to the RRH waitlist for a vaccine appointments, please call or text (833) 216-6663, leave a message with your details and an RRH representative will contact you to schedule your date and time. The return call phone number will display as (760) 446-3551. If you have contacted us, please expect to receive our call and check voicemail boxes regularly.

**Please note, weather forecasting sites are reporting snow and rain next week. Please be extremely careful as you travel to keep your appointment. Everyone’s safety is our priority, especially our teams on the ground.**