In a move that significantly increased the number of people eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations, state health officials said Friday that shots could be fired from March 15 on people 16 and older suffering from medical conditions or developmental disabilities. which makes them susceptible to serious illness or death by the virus.
The move comes amid ongoing shortages of vaccine supplies, but follows increasing pressure to make the shots available to people at greatest 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 has advised that vaccinations can be given to people between the ages of 16 and 64 who suffer from:
- Cancer;
- chronic kidney disease;
- chronic lung disease;
- Down syndrome;
- weakened immune system due to solid organ transplantation;
- pregnancy;
- sickle cell disease;
- heart disease;
- erge vetsug
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Anyone 16 years of age or older who suffers from a “developmental or other severe high-risk disability” will make the person available for vaccines available, making the person susceptible to serious illness or death as a result of COVID; if the acquisition of COVID will limit the person’s ability to receive the necessary care or services; or if the disability will impair the person’s ability to be treated for COVID.
The state already allows vaccinations for everyone 65 years or older, regardless of their health condition. When the new one is eligible on March 15, the number of California residents eligible to receive shots under the existing guidelines will increase to as much as 19 million.
To date, just over 5 million doses have been administered in California. The current vaccinations require each person to receive two doses, spaced three to four weeks apart.