My Turn app tells people when they can receive the COVID-19 vaccine

My Turn app gives people a sense of hope in regards to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost

Cicily Thomas, Staff Writer|March 23, 2021

As the COVID-19 vaccine begins to be administered you can now check your eligibility on the My Turn app to see when you can receive it. (Photo via the My Turn website)

As the COVID-19 vaccine begins to be administered you can now check your eligibility on the My Turn app to see when you can receive it. (Photo via the My Turn website)

With the start of this new year, advances in health care have led to the creation of the COVID-19 vaccine. Now, the California Department of Public Health has also created an app that checks the eligibility of people who can receive the vaccine and when. Those who are eager to receive the COVID-19 vaccination face a wait time as the CDPH has established a priority tier of who will receive the vaccine first. 

Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the release of the application My Turn during a press conference. Newsom said the new system transmits data more quickly to the Center of Disease Control, which helps correct “lag-time.” Lag-time is the time from when receiving the vaccine to waiting for the system to update the number of vaccines administered for the day. 

“This technology will produce a more accurate account of people who we’ve reached with the vaccine,” Newsom said in a statement issued in a January 26 press release. 

Although My Turn is used to check eligibility, only healthcare workers and people 65 and older are eligible to schedule appointments through My Turn at this moment, according to an article by ABC 30, based out of Fresno, CA. The app launched in Los Angeles and San Diego counties first, and state leaders are hoping for a statewide roll out within the coming weeks.

“Eligible folks in LA & San Diego — as a part of our pilot program — can begin scheduling appointments on the same platform,” Newsom posted in a tweet on January 26. 

As the time has finally arrived to be able to get vaccinated, there are still many questions to be answered when it comes to the cost of the vaccine and the amount of vaccines being administered.

“Everyone in California will have an opportunity to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at no cost. But our vaccination supply is limited right now. So we’re starting with the groups who are at highest risk, like people with a high chance of exposure and people 65 and older,” according to information posted on the California Department of Public Health’s website, My Turn.

Users can visit the app’s website Myturn.ca.gov. Those who meet the current eligibility standards will be directed to schedule appointments to get the vaccine. If users are ineligible at this time, there is an option to sign up for a text, or email notification as to when they are eligible.