Health

Make an Online Date to Vaccinate

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The Online Appointment System for vaccinations at the Chula Vista public health center was such a success, the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) decided to use it at two additional County clinics.

Earlier this month, patients at the County public health center in City Heights— 5202 University Avenue—and the vaccination clinic in Logan Heights—3177A Ocean View Boulevard—began making immunization appointments online.

“The system makes it easier for people to make appointments and to receive service faster,” said Barbara Jiménez, deputy director for HHSA’s Central and South regions. “It’s a way to better serve these and other communities in central San Diego.”

The goal of the Online Appointment System, in English and Spanish, is to make it easier to access vaccines, part of the County’s Live Well San Diego initiative, which aims to improve the health and well-being of local residents.

Until two weeks ago, both public health centers, which serve patients with no medical insurance, provided immunization services on a first-come, first-served basis. Now each facility, typically serving about 50 people on a busy day, will allow up to nine patients to make an appointment online using the new system. Furthermore, they have the option of downloading and filling their patient data form in advance, saving them even more time.

“We’re pretty excited. We hope to have every available online appointment filled,” said Bonnie Copland, public health center manager at both locations. “We know our clients have busy lives, so we want to decrease their wait time as much as possible.”

Copland added they will increase the number of appointments that can be made online if demand for the service goes up.

The Online Appointment System began as a pilot project at HHSA’s South Public Health Center in Chula Vista in March of last year. The plan is to roll it out to all seven public health centers.

For more information about vaccines or for a list of public health center locations, visit www.sdiz.org or call 2-1-1.

Michelle Mowad is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact