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In a move that will dramatically increase the number of people eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, state health officials said on Friday that starting March 15, vaccines can be given to people 16 years of age and more suffering from health problems or developmental disabilities, which makes them vulnerable. serious illness or death from the virus.
The move comes amid a continuing shortage of vaccine supplies, but follows growing pressure to make vaccines available to those most at risk of dying or becoming seriously ill if they contract the virus.
According to a bulletin sent to providers statewide, the California Department of Public Health said vaccinations can be done for people between the ages of 16 and 64 who have:
- Cancer;
- chronic kidney disease;
- chronic lung disease;
- Down’s syndrome;
- immune system weakened by solid organ transplantation;
- pregnancy;
- sickle cell anemia;
- heart disease;
- severe obesity
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Anyone 16 years of age or older who has a “ developmental disability or other severe high-risk disability ” that makes the person vulnerable to severe illness or death from COVID will also be available for vaccines; whether acquiring COVID will limit the person’s ability to receive ongoing care or services, or if the disability would interfere with the person’s ability to be treated for COVID.
The state already allows vaccination for anyone aged 65 or over, regardless of their health. When the new eligibility goes into effect on March 15, the total number of Californians who will be eligible to receive injections under existing guidelines will increase to 19 million.
To date, just over 5 million doses have been administered across California. Current vaccines require each person to receive two doses, three to four weeks apart.
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