Berkeley's COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout Reaches Major Milestone

BERKELEY’S COVID-19 VACCINATION ROLLOUT REACHES MAJOR MILESTONE, OUTPACING BOTH NATIONAL AND STATEWIDE ROLLOUTS 

Berkeley has vaccinated over 50% of the population with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine 

April 6, 2021  

BERKELEY - Today, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín is proud to announce that 50% of the city’s residents have been given at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Nationwide, 32% of Americans have received at least one dose and statewide, and 42% of Californians have received at least one dose.  

“Vaccinating our city, which is critical to saving lives and getting Berkeley back to business, remains my number one priority," said Mayor Jesse Arreguín. "From the moment Berkeley declared a local emergency, our City has been ahead of the curve. Be it outfitting local nursing homes with extra PPE, raising $4.5 million for Berkeley’s Relief Fund, housing vulnerable populations, or launching a coordinated vaccine rollout, Berkeley continues to tackle the pandemic head on. Berkeley’s Department of Public Health and all our frontline workers who continue to serve this community have been absolute heroes, and we are grateful for their courage and commitment.” 

In executing the vaccine rollout, Berkeley took proactive measures to prioritize racial and socioeconomic equity. To that end, Mayor Arreguín has convened leaders in the Black and Latinx community as well as faith leaders and community-based organizations to strategize outreach efforts resulting in mobile clinics at local churches and community centers. To date, 48% of Berkeley’s white residents 16+, 35% of Black residents, and 35% of Latino residents have received at least one dose. Nationwide, 25% of white Americans, 15% of Black Americans, and 13% of Latino Americans have received at least one dose. Mayor Arreguín is particularly grateful for the grassroots efforts of groups like Latinxs Unidos de Berkeley, who have independently organized canvassing to sign up difficult-to-reach populations and bridge the digital divide.  

###