California is opening COVID-19 vaccines on Monday to a new group: those aged 16 to 64 with disabilities or qualified health conditions that put them at greater risk of serious illness or death if they become infected.
The state estimates that 4.4 million people fall into this category, but due to the limited supply of vaccines, not everyone will be able to be vaccinated immediately.
People with one of the following 10 conditions considered “serious” by the state are eligible: cancer; chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or higher; chronic lung disease; Down’s syndrome; weakened immune system due to solid organ transplantation; pregnancy; sickle cell anemia; heart disease, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies (but not hypertension); severe obesity; and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Individuals with disabilities are also eligible, and the state has provided many examples of people who fall into this category, including people using regional centers, independent living centers, home support services, adult health centers, HIV / AIDS Medi exemptions. -Cal and exemptions from Medi-Cal community and home based alternatives, Medi-Cal assisted living exemptions, California Children’s Services Program (if child is 16 to 21 years old) and People with Genetic Disabilities Program from California.
The California Department of Public Health released guidelines on Thursday and said that people with these high-risk conditions or disabilities will not be required to provide documentation to verify their diagnosis for getting vaccines, but may be asked to sign a self-report that they meet the criteria.
The state recommended that eligible people start by contacting their health care providers.
“We strongly recommend that individuals with these conditions seek vaccination with a primary health care provider or system or in an alternative clinical setting,” said the state. “Check with your usual health care provider first to see if they have vaccines and consultations available. Health providers who have vaccines may also start contacting you, as a patient with a significant high-risk medical condition or disability known by the provider, to schedule your vaccine appointment. “
The state said pharmacies, county health departments and community pop-up clinics may also have vaccination appointments for people with disabilities and medical conditions, but some may focus on giving vaccines to other groups, such as education workers.
San Francisco officials announced on Friday that they are expanding the state’s definition of qualified medical conditions, including allowing people living with HIV to be vaccinated as of March 15. In addition, the city is expanding the state’s disability category to include developments, medical, physical, sensory or behavioral health deficiencies, including severe mental health and substance use disorders.
The city warned that, despite the increase in eligibility, the vaccine remains scarce.
“Next week, we will move forward with expanding access to the vaccine in San Francisco and will continue to work with accessibility advocates and community members to ensure that we are doing our best to reach everyone who is eligible,” said Mayor London Breed in a declaration. “Although the supply is not yet at the level we need, we continue to make good progress and will do our best to deliver vaccines to people as quickly and conveniently as we can.”