NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Sutter Health reported that it is expanding its COVID-19 vaccination program to its patients who are age 65 and older.

Sutter Health officials said they are prioritizing patients who are 65-plus years of age and community healthcare workers. These populations are at greatest risk, according to CDC guidance.

By expanding capacity, they can continue deploying as much vaccine as possible to eligible patients, as supply allows. As vaccine supply expands, Sutter Health said it will broaden eligibility and notify our patients.”

Vaccination for Sutter patients 65 and older is now underway at locations throughout the health system’s Northern California footprint.

Sutter has worked quickly to expand COVID-19 vaccination rollout, including scaling up large-scale vaccination clinics across Northern California. Several are already operational.

Eligible Sutter patients can self-schedule through Sutter’s online patient portal, called My Health Online, or through a dedicated hotline, 844-987-6115.

Sutter’s call center is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Patients should allow for longer than normal wait times due to higher call volume. Not everyone who is eligible will be able to make an appointment right away.

Call center representatives can help eligible Sutter patients book appointments for their first doses.

Second dose appointments are scheduled at the time of the first vaccination.

Sutter patients should not contact their provider’s office to schedule COVID-19 vaccinations; they’re not able to book appointments or provide scheduling exceptions.

For more information on how Sutter patients can schedule their COVID-19 vaccination, go to https://www.sutterhealth.org/for-patients/health-alerts/covid-19-vaccine.