Summary
Under the new state guidelines, people between the ages of 16 and 64 with chronic high-risk conditions and disabilities will join older Californians, food workers and educators. But only on March 15.
California with high-risk medical conditions will qualify for COVID-19 vaccines starting March 15, the state health secretary announced today.
According to the state’s previous guidelines, people with chronic conditions do not qualify for vaccinations until people aged 65 and older, first responders, food workers and educators have been vaccinated.
Under the new guidelines, people between the ages of 16 and 64 with serious health conditions – such as heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes, cancer and weakened immune systems – or with disabilities will join older Californians and essential workers from March 15.
State officials estimate the group could number between 4 and 6 million people, bringing the total number of eligible Californians between 17 and 19 million next month.
The move is “in line with our response aimed at saving lives, aimed at promoting equity and, of course, getting to the other side of the pandemic,” said Drs. Mark Ghaly, secretary of health and human services in California, said at a news conference. today.
Ghaly said it will be delayed for a month so the state can build up its vaccine supply, develop ways to qualify and find out how to reach people who are at home.
Disability advocates have had mixed reactions to the changing priorities of the state.
“The explicit inclusion of people with high-risk disabilities is a welcome change in the position of the administration, but the pieces of recognition of people at high risk health condition, the failure to increase exposure and health risks of Medi-Cal beneficiaries who home and home need, to recognize community-based services in their homes, and the unexplained delay until March 15 is disappointing for all, and it will be fatal for people with disabilities, ”said Silvia Yee, senior staff advocate of the Education and Defense Fund. for Disability Rights, said.
Lawyers have criticized Gavin Newsom for failing to prioritize some of California’s most vulnerable residents, saying he was sacrificing equity for speed.
The move comes as California accelerates its previously slow pace of COVID-19 vaccinations. More than 5.5 million doses have been administered to date, more than any other state. While California previously ranked at the bottom of all states for its vaccination rates, it is now 21st, according to federal data.
The eligible groups can be vaccinated through their medical provider or at vaccination clinics if their health permits, Ghaly said. Physicians have a discretion to vaccinate high-risk people who do not fall into the categories set by government officials.
Until last month, California included people with disabilities or medical conditions in the same priority group as Californians between the ages of 65 and 74. They are listed in the level just behind people 75 years and older. But then the state decided to prioritize vaccinations according to age, with the goal of 65-year-olds and older. This meant that medically vulnerable people were left behind.
Government officials listed the serious conditions in a consultancy for suppliers, including:
- Cancer, currently with weakened or immunocompromised condition
- Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or higher
- Chronic lung disease, dependent on oxygen
- Down syndrome
- Immuno-compromised state (weakened immune system) due to solid organ transplantation
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy (excludes hypertension)
- Severe obesity (body mass index ≥ 40 kg / m2)
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus with a hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%
The Federal Centers for Disease Control recommends that people with underlying conditions receive the vaccine along with those aged 65 to 74 years. But states may adjust the priorities.
Other states differ in how they prioritize people with health conditions.
New York on Monday will vaccinate people with high-risk conditions, including pregnancy and developmental disabilities. Florida is currently vaccinating people who are considered by hospital providers to be “extremely vulnerable” to COVID-19, along with 65-year-olds. In contrast, Kansas placed people under 65 with high-risk conditions behind people 65 and older, inmates, and those living in ‘community areas’ who are not nursing homes.
CalMatters COVID-19 coverage, translation and distribution are supported by generous grants from the Blue Shield of California Foundation, the California Wellness Foundation and the California Health Care Foundation.