Santa Clara County Officials Raise Concerns About Declining Vaccine Demand

Santa Clara County leaders are urging members of the public to get vaccinated now, especially young people and members of the South Bay’s Latino communities.

Just last month, Santa Clara’s biggest issue with the vaccine rollout was supply — the county’s doses were so limited, it briefly paused administering new first shots.

Now officials say Santa Clara clinics have more supply than demand and the county can offer additional walk-up shots, pop-up vaccine clinics and expanded in-home vaccinations.

“We have come a long way in this pandemic, but we are not done yet,” said Dr. Rocio Luna, deputy county executive, during a Friday press conference. “We’re not done until the hardest-hit communities are vaccinated at the same rate as everyone else.”

Two of every three eligible Santa Clara County residents have received at least one dose, but vaccination rates among young people and Latinos is too low, officials say.

“Latinos, we’ve got some work to do. I’m calling on you to get your vaccine. We understand that everyone is working,” Luna added, noting the county is switching its strategy. “We’re coming to you, if you can’t come to us.”

During the press conference, Luna and other officials described an effort to counter misinformation about the coronavirus vaccines, swatting down the idea that individuals who previously contracted COVID-19 don’t need shots.

Luna said individuals who have had COVID-19 should get vaccinated for expanded protection, including against variants.

Another idea officials tried to knock down: Young people don’t need to get vaccinated because studies show they are less likely to get very sick from the coronavirus.

“We’ve seen a lot of young people with long-term infections that go on for months, and months, and months,” said Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, Santa Clara County’s vaccine officer.

Andrea Hernandez, a senior at W.C. Overfelt High School, spoke during the press conference on how the idea that young people don’t need vaccinations is circulating widely on social media.

“I believe that false narrative being spread around is causing the youth to not get our vaccines and to be reluctant about getting the vaccine,” she said. “Once more people my age are coming out about getting the vaccine and how it is important, I believe that more people will be able to get it.”

— Kevin Stark