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People aged 16 to 64 with disabilities or with eligible health conditions that put them at high risk of severe illness or dying from COVID-19 will be eligible to receive vaccines in San Francisco starting Monday .
The city will also open appointments for people who live or work in high-risk collective care facilities, including correctional facilities, homeless shelters and residential care and treatment facilities, announced Friday. the Ministry of Public Health.
Homeless people who could transition to gathering places will also be eligible for vaccines.
“Immunizing people with disabilities and those who have severe underlying conditions, as well as people who live in communities, is an important part of our efforts to save lives and protect our most vulnerable residents,” said the mayor of London Breed in a statement.
She warned that despite opening vaccine eligibility to several new groups, supply remains low. So far, about 27% of people in San Francisco have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Statewide, California opens vaccine eligibility Monday for Phase 1C, which includes people aged 16 to 64 with disabilities and health conditions that put them at risk for severe COVID-19. About 4.4 million people meet the state’s criteria. Counties choose when to start immunizing this group based on local supply.
Health conditions included in the state’s eligibility list include cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, Down syndrome, organ transplantation, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, insufficiency heart disease, severe obesity and type 2 diabetes.
San Francisco will expand the state’s eligibility somewhat, including allowing people with HIV to get vaccinated, as well as people who identify as deaf or disabled. The city is also expanding the definition of disability status to include developmental, medical, physical, sensory or behavioral health disorders, including serious mental disorders or substance use disorders.
San Francisco will not require proof of qualification at vaccination clinics but will rely on the honor system.
“This is a big step forward in protecting members of our community who are at a higher risk of contracting or dying from COVID-19,” said Dr Grant Colfax, city health director. “Many of those who have underlying health problems and disabilities or who live in collective living spaces have had to endure greater isolation this year for fear of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and vaccinating this population is a crucial step in the protection of our city.
City officials said gathering places such as prisons, homeless shelters and behavioral health facilities, which are home to large concentrations of people with chronic illnesses, are considered to be at high risk of COVID-19 outbreaks.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health plans to implement a series of pilot mobile vaccination programs to reach these populations, according to Friday’s announcement.
Aidin Vaziri is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected]
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