Public Safety Committee Hearing on Mass Vaccination Strategy - January 20, 2021
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Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Hearing on Mass Vaccination Strategy - January 20, 2021
On January 20, 2021, the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee held a special hearing to review San Francisco's mass vaccination strategy. The meeting featured presentations from UCSF, Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Dignity Health, and the Department of Public Health (DPH) / COVID Command. Key topics included vaccine supply challenges, distribution plans, equity, communication, and coordination among providers. The hearing highlighted that only 123,875 doses had been received out of an estimated 400,000 needed for Phase 1A and 1B (65+ populations), leaving a shortfall of 277,000 doses. The goal is to reach 10,000 vaccinations per day, with the first mass vaccination site at City College opening on January 22.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gina Lon, Vice President of Policy at the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium, urged the city to fully engage community clinics in vaccine planning, noting they serve 112,000 vulnerable patients, many of whom are low-income, uninsured, or non-English speaking. She emphasized that clinics are trusted providers and need vaccine supply and support.
- A representative from Safe and Sound (San Francisco Family Resources Alliance) advocated for prioritizing Family Resource Center staff and early care educators, who have been providing essential in-person services throughout the pandemic.
- Zach Lipton, a District 6 resident, criticized the city's vaccine notification system, comparing it unfavorably to systems in Dallas and Los Angeles. He noted that his parents received an email telling them to contact their provider but got no further assistance, and argued that the current system privileges those with internet access and resources.
Discussion Items
- UCSF Presentation (Dr. Josh Adler): UCSF has administered 22,873 doses (92% of first doses). They are prioritizing patients 75+ due to limited supply, with 70,000 patients in that age group. UCSF held back 8,400 doses from a Moderna lot under state quarantine. They are collaborating with Dignity Health and One Medical to open a drive-through site at City College on January 22.
- Kaiser Permanente Presentation (Ron Groper): Kaiser has vaccinated 170,000 doses system-wide, with 93% distribution rate. They are prioritizing 75+ and have 240,000 members in San Francisco. Kaiser committed to sharing data with DPH and supporting mass vaccination sites. Non-members can access vaccines via a call center.
- Sutter Health Presentation (Dr. Rob Nordgren): Sutter has given 7,500 employee doses and 1,000 patient doses in San Francisco. They are opening to 75+ and aim to reach 3,000 doses per day. They are working with DPH on site selection for mass vaccination.
- Dignity Health Presentation (Darren Kumar): St. Francis Memorial Hospital and St. Mary's Medical Center have received 6,125 doses total, with 2,028 administered. They are focusing on Phase 1A employees and will expand to 1B as supply allows. They are partnering with DPH and other systems for mass vaccination.
- DPH / COVID Command Presentation (Roland Pickens, Mary Ellen Carroll, Dr. Mary Mercer): DPH reported that San Francisco has received 123,875 doses total, but needs 400,000 to cover Phase 1A and 1B (65+). The city aims to reach 10,000 vaccinations/day. Major challenges include unpredictable supply from the federal government and state, and competition with Southern California for allocations. DPH outlined a three-pronged strategy: high-volume vaccination sites (City College, Moscone, Produce Market), mobile teams, and community-based clinics. The city launched a vaccine notification website and a data tracker. DPH acknowledged that coordination with private providers is critical and that data sharing is improving.
- Equity and Access: Several supervisors raised concerns about reaching underserved communities. Supervisor Safai emphasized the role of community hubs and requested that 311 be used for scheduling. Director Carroll agreed to explore 311 integration within a week. Supervisor Haney and Chair Maher questioned how to ensure geographic coverage and access for unhoused individuals and SRO residents. DPH responded that mobile teams and street medicine teams would be deployed.
- Teacher Vaccination: Supervisor Ronan proposed a proactive plan to vaccinate all SFUSD elementary school educators once the state authorizes it. DPH's Roland Pickens agreed to start planning immediately with the city's Health Service System.
- Data and Communication: DPH stated that a centralized scheduling system is being developed and that all providers have committed to sharing data. The notification system will eventually allow direct appointment booking. However, public comment highlighted that the current system is confusing and inaccessible for many.
Key Outcomes
- The hearing was continued to the call of the chair (motion by Supervisor Haney, passed unanimously).
- Vice Chair Stephanie was excused from the remainder of the meeting (motion by Chair Maher, passed).
- DPH committed to integrating 311 into the vaccine scheduling system within the next week.
- DPH agreed to begin planning a mass vaccination event for SFUSD elementary school educators in partnership with the city's Health Service System, contingent on state authorization.
- DPH will meet with the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium next week to better include community clinics in the rollout.
- The committee emphasized the need for improved transparency, communication, and equitable access, and pledged to continue oversight.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the Wednesday, January 20th special meeting of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. I'm Supervisor Gordon Maher, the chair of this committee, and I'm joined by Vice Chair Catherine Stephanie and committee member Matt Haney. And we're also joined by our colleagues, Board President Shimon Walton and Supervisor Raphael Mandelman. I would like to note that our agenda has included notification that we could have a quorum of the Board of Supervisors. However, this meeting will all will in all respects be conducted as a committee meeting. And I'd like to thank this committee's clerk John Carroll and also SFGup TV for staffing this meeting. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, I have. Thank you, Mr. Chair. In order to protect the public, board members, and city employees during the COVID-19 health emergency, the Board of Supervisors Legislative Chamber and Committee Room all closed. This precaution is taken pursuant to all various local, state, and federal orders, declarations, and directives. Committee members will attend the meeting through video conference and participate in the meeting to the same extent as if they're physically present in their chamber. Public comment will be available for each item on this agenda. Both San Francisco Cable Channel 26 and SFgovTV.org are streaming a public comment call-in number across the screen at this time. Your opportunity to speak and provide your public comments during the public comment period will be available to you by phone. You will dial into our meeting by dialing 415 65501. Once you've connected and you've been prompted, enter the meeting ID for today's meeting. Today's meeting ID is 146 286 5807. Following that, you'll press the pound symbol twice to be connected to the meeting. When you're connected, you'll hear the meeting discussions, but your line will be muted and in listening mode only. When your item of interest comes up, and there is only one item on today's agenda. Dial star followed by three to be added to the speaker line. A system prompt will indicate that you have raised your hand. Please wait until the system indicates that you've been unmuted and you may then begin your comments. Best practices are to call from a quiet location, speak clearly and slowly, and turn down your television, your radio, or your streaming device. Everyone must account for time delays and speaking discrepancies between live coverage and streaming. Alternatively, you may submit your public comment in either of the following ways. You may email me. My name is John Carroll, and I'm the clerk of the public safety and neighborhood services committee. My email address is J-O-H-N, period C-A-R-R-O-L-L at SFGOV.org. If you submit your public comment by email, I will include your comments as part of the legislative file for the open item. Your written comments may also be sent by U.S. Postal Service to our office in City Hall. The address is one Dr. Carlton B. Goodlick Place, room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. And Mr. Chair, one final thing. I note that Supervisor Safai is joining us. So we are now still in panel this public safety and neighborhood services, but we have presently a quorum of the Board of Supervisors present. That concludes my remarks. Thank you so much, Mr. Clerk. Can you please call the item, item number one? Agenda item number one is a hearing on the mass vaccination strategy in the city and county, including but not limited to capacity partnerships with the state of California and private healthcare systems and plans for expansion. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment on this hearing should call the public comment member now. I know I just said it, but I'll repeat it. 415 65501.
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