Local 1000 Vaccine Clinics Help Keep California Safe

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The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how important it is that we all participate in the health of our communities, just as we care for our own health. And this spring SEIU Local 1000 members were able to help make the health of all our communities a priority at two separate vaccine clinics held at the Local 1000 Sacramento office.

At our first vaccination clinic in April, SEIU Local 1000 members organized an incredibly successful three-day event to kick off our union’s vaccination effort. In all, over 1300 state workers who have kept California running, along with members of the community, received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine, ensuring that we are all protected from COVID-19. A follow up clinic in mid-May, focused primarily on second dose applications, featured a partnership with myturn.gov to ease the signup process.

Contrasted with the long lines, remote locations, and scarcity of vaccines, Union organizers and members-leaders were able to overcome many of the challenges present at vaccine distributions elsewhere around the state and nation. For those who got their vaccinations at the SEIU Local 1000 office, the experience was quick and easy. Greg and Megan Cedidla, SEIU Local 1000 members who work at the Franchise Tax Board, were among those who were able to get vaccinated. After receiving an interdepartmental email, they set up an appointment and got scheduled for their vaccination in a matter of minutes.

“It was easy and painless to set it up,” said Greg. “And there were only a few questions to answer.” Given the downtown Sacramento location, many attendees had concerns about parking and logistics of getting to the location. “I told someone they’d have a tough time parking here!” said Megan. “But I was pleasantly surprised; it was all super easy.”

The vaccination clinic success is a testament to the ongoing strength of state workers in the face of adversity, even after a year of working to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. By ensuring that state workers have access to the vaccine, we helped to move California one step closer to full vaccination and put an end to this pandemic.