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Orange County officials announced on Tuesday that residents 65 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, marking a significant expansion in vaccine access in the county.
The decision followed new guidelines released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and anticipated the state’s official recommendation.
“My goal is to reduce hospitalizations and deaths as quickly as possible, and we need to prioritize our vaccine allocation to protect the most vulnerable in our community,” Health Officer Dr Clayton Chau said in a statement.
In an urgent meeting Tuesday night, the state’s vaccine advisory committee considered whether to adopt the CDC’s updated guidelines, which also prioritize people with underlying health conditions. .
The developments are the latest signs of increased vaccine availability. California on Thursday called on counties to open the first phase of vaccine eligibility to more health workers, including public health workers in the field, primary care clinics, specialty clinics, laboratory workers, dental clinics and pharmacy staff.
The county also advised residents on Tuesday not to visit the newly opened vaccination site at Disneyland Resort without an appointment.
“The three existing PODs in the county [point of distribution] sites were overwhelmed with walk-in people today, effectively shutting down vaccination sites. It is essential that people understand that appointment slots are available based on vaccine availability. Going without an appointment puts stress on the system and depletes scarce resources, ”the health agency said in a statement.
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