In a move that will broadly expand the number of people eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines, state health officials said on Friday that as of March 15, vaccines can be administered to people aged 16 or over. more who suffer from medical problems or developmental disabilities, making them susceptible to severe illness or death from viruses.
The change comes amid continuing scarcity in the supply of vaccines, but there is growing pressure to make vaccines available to people most at risk of dying or becoming seriously ill if they contract the virus.
According to a bulletin sent to providers across the state, the California Department of Public Health reported that vaccinations can be made for people aged 16 to 64 who suffer from:
- Cancer;
- chronic kidney disease;
- chronic lung disease;
- Down’s syndrome;
- weakened immune system due to solid organ transplantation;
- pregnancy;
- sickle cell anemia;
- Heart problems;
- severe obesity
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Anyone aged 16 or over who suffers from a “developmental disability or other serious, high-risk disability” that leaves the person susceptible to serious illness or death from COVID will also be available for vaccines; if you acquire COVID it will limit the person’s ability to receive ongoing care or services or if the disability impairs the person’s ability to be treated for COVID.
The state already allows vaccinations for anyone aged 65 and over, regardless of health status. When the new eligibility goes into effect on March 15, the number of Californians in general who will be eligible to receive injections under existing guidelines will increase to up to 19 million.
To date, just over 5 million doses have been administered in California. Current vaccines require that each person receive two doses, three to four weeks apart.