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 access to the vaccine in the county.
The decision followed a new guideline issued on Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and came before the state’s official recommendation.
“My goal is to reduce hospitalizations and deaths as quickly as possible, and we must prioritize our distribution of vaccines to protect the most vulnerable in our community,” said health officer Dr. Clayton Chau in a statement.
At an urgent meeting Tuesday night, the state’s vaccine advisory committee considered whether to adopt the CDC’s updated guidance, which also prioritizes individuals with underlying health conditions.
The developments are the latest signs of increased availability of vaccines. On Thursday, California instructed counties to open the first phase of vaccine eligibility for a larger group of workers in the health sector, including public health field teams, primary care clinics, specialist clinics, laboratory workers, dental clinics and pharmacy staff.
The county also advised residents on Tuesday not to visit the newly opened vaccine site at Disneyland Resort without an appointment.
“The three existing PODs in the county [point of distribution] the places were packed with people without an appointment, effectively closing the vaccination sites. It is essential that people understand that the available times are available based on the availability of the vaccine. Appearing without an appointment stresses the system and depletes scarce resources, ”said the health agency in a statement.