From limited appointments to too many unfilled slots — vaccine availability has taken a 180-degree turn in San Diego County, so officials are opening up all vaccination sites to walk-ins, a spokesperson announced Tuesday.
Anyone 16 and older who wants an appointment can now walk up to any San Diego County-run vaccination site and ask for a shot as soon as Tuesday, San Diego County spokesperson Michael Workman said. Walk-ins will be accommodated at each site while supplies last.
The new strategy will not affect the supply set aside for scheduled appointments. The county will still honor any existing appointments and future appointments can still be scheduled through the county website.
For example, SDSU has an additional 1,000 slots available for Tuesday, not including scheduled appointments. Anyone who wants a shot immediately can head to the SDSU location.
The shift comes as vaccine supply has steadied in San Diego County. Months ago, supply limitations were leading to canceled appointments and full closures of county-run vaccination sites.
Appointments aren’t filling up as quickly as the county had hoped so they’re shifting methods to make acquiring a vaccine as easy and convenient as possible, Workman said.