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Registration for limited COVID-19 vaccine appointments in Riverside County opened up Thursday for some residents, including those 65 and older, but the appointments were full soon after.

Registration began at noon for six upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Lake Elsinore, Perris and Indio. Those eligible for the limited appointments are those in Phase 1A and 1B, which includes health care, education and other essential workers.

But around 12:10 p.m., it appeared the county’s appointment site was overloaded.

Shortly after Dr. Cameron Kaiser, the public health officer for Riverside County, tweeted the appointments were full, but said more slots for vaccines were coming.

This week, Riverside County received 26,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine to distribute among its community partners, with 3,900 of those doses being used for six additional county-run vaccine clinics.

“This is important news to so many of our residents who are eager to be vaccinated,” Supervisor Karen Spiegel said in a statement. “We also ask for your patience. We continue to have very limited vaccine quantities and a high demand within the community for it. The county is distributing vaccine as quickly as we receive it.”

The clinics will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and are scheduled as follows:

  • Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Diamond Stadium located at 500 Diamond Drive, Lake Elsinore (the Jan. 22 clinic is for those 65 and older only and an appointment is required)
  • Sunday, Jan. 24 and Monday, Jan. 25 at the Perris Fairgrounds located at 18700 Lake Perris Drive, Perris (the Jan. 25 clinic is for those 65 and older only and appointment is required)
  • Saturday, Jan. 23 and Sunday, Jan. 24 at the Indio Fairgrounds in the Fullenwider Auditorium located at 46350 Arabia Street, Indio

The clinics will provide vaccines free of charge; however, those who show up must register prior to arrival, have an appointment and show proof of eligibility (work badge, business identification or letter of proof from employer). Medical insurance information will be requested, although not required. Anyone 65 and older must have proof of age.

For the description of the various COVID-19 tiers and to schedule an appointment, visit ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine.