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South San Jose Gets New VTA Rail Station Vaccination Site Amid Concern Over Slowing Demand

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The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority on Monday opened a new vaccination site at the Santa Teresa light rail station in South San Jose. The new location comes shortly after Santa Clara County health officials raised concerns over the region’s decrease in vaccine demand and the need to vaccinate younger residents.

“There’s plenty of supply, and anything we can do to help to make it easier for people who want to get vaccinated, we’re trying to do,” said Stacey Hendler Ross, a VTA spokesperson.

The new site has drive-thru and walk-up services where appointments are preferred, but not required. It is capable of administering around 900 to 1,000 vaccines a day, Hendler Ross said.

Bay Area Community Health, which is staffing the site (make an appointment here), had been operating out of a small clinic on Monterey Highway.

“They were being overwhelmed with people who wanted to get the vaccine, and they just did not have the capacity to treat everyone,” Hendler Ross said.

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San Jose Councilmember Sergio Jimenez suggested turning the Santa Teresa station’s parking lot into a new drive-thru vaccination location.

“They had been providing some vaccines over the past two weeks as they were sort of ramping up and working out the kinks,” Hendler Ross said. “And this is the first full week of vaccines that they’re providing.”

The site is expected to stay open through July, but the agency said it could remain open for longer if demand is still there. The transit agency is also offering free bus, light rail and paratransit rides for those going to receive their vaccines.

“We certainly hope that this helps make it easier for people who want to get a vaccine to just drive right through or get off the light rail train and walk right over to get a vaccine,” Hendler Ross said.

- Gabriella Frenes

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