San Diego County 'promotoras' to help make vaccine appointments

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KGTV) -- In an effort to maintain health equity, San Diego County officials announced a pilot program to help those 65 and older make appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Many are facing challenges with the online scheduling system, including language barriers or lack of have access to transportation.

The program is expected to launch Friday, but the exact details are still being worked out.

County Supervisor Nora Vargas made the announcement during the county's press conference on Wednesday, saying the Board of Supervisors has heard the community's challenges "loud and clear."

The program, officials say, aims to make things more equitable for those trying to find an appointment, and for those that might not have someone to help them or guide them through the system.

County health workers, known as promotoras, will go out into the most vulnerable communities to help.

The program is county led but was created with input from multiple community organizations.

The program will start in the South Bay, one of the areas most impacted by COVID-19 and, if successful, it will expand to the entire county.

The county says they will announce where the promotoras will be located ahead of time so the community can show up for help.