SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Millions of Californians are now qualified for the COVID-19 vaccine, and many are unaware that they can get it.
On February 2, the California Health Alert Network released new guidelines, clarifying that “Informal Caregivers” should have priority access to the vaccine.
According to the letter, an Informal Caregiver is “an unpaid family member or other person who regularly assists and supervises the daily care of an elderly or disabled person, but does not have to live in the same home”.
“They are a critical link between providing care to our aging population and those who do not have access to care in any way,” said ElderHelp CEO Deb Martin.
“Family caregivers are at great risk, not only emotionally because of the burden of care, but also because of the possibility of contaminating the very people they care for,” explains Martin.
But the definition of “Informal Caregiver” is vague. County officials say that anyone who wants to be vaccinated as an Informal Caregiver needs to bring a receipt to the vaccination site.
“A medical certificate is required,” said county supervisor Nathan Fletcher. “A doctor must certify and verify this, and they must present this on each of our sites when they arrive for an appointment.”
The guidelines of the Health Alert Network also say that the letter must use the term “Informal Caregiver” and be from the doctor of the person being cared for.
The new requirements open vaccines for millions of people in California. According to the CDC, 20% of Californians over 45 say they act as caregivers for a friend or relative.
This includes about 250,000 people in San Diego who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
“It is a blessing to be recognized and vaccinated now,” says Adrienne Pierre, who cares for her 86-year-old mother, Rosemary. She took the vaccine as an informal caregiver earlier this month.
“It’s not about me. It’s about (keeping) my mom safe,” she explains.
“I am used to seeing my parents almost daily,” says Beth Klareich, who helps care for her parents Nancy and Herschel, but has not yet been vaccinated. “It would be a great game changer for all of us in terms of care and quality of life.”
There is concern that the vague definition would allow some people to take advantage of the program and “skip the line” to get a vaccine. But Martin says he does not expect this to happen very often, and it is a risk worth taking if it means that people can get the care they need.
“As far as I’m concerned, anyone who gets vaccinated will be a positive factor for the aging community,” says Martin. “It will help support our work to try to eliminate this terrible pandemic that is affecting so many people.”