Orange County officials announced Tuesday that residents 65 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, indicating a significant expansion of access to the vaccine in the country.
The decision follows new clues issued Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and comes before the state’s official recommendation.
“My goal is to reduce hospitalizations and deaths as quickly as possible, and we need to prioritize the allocation of vaccines to protect the most vulnerable in our community,” said Dr. Clayton Chau said in a statement.
In an urgent meeting Tuesday night, the state’s vaccine advisory committee considered whether to accept the CDC’s updated guidance, which also gives preference to individuals with underlying health conditions.
The developments are the latest signs of increased availability of vaccines. On Thursday, California instructed provinces to consider the first phase of the vaccination for a wider group of health care workers, including public health staff, primary care clinics, specialist clinics, laboratory workers, dental clinics and pharmacy staff.
The province also advised residents on Tuesday not to visit the newly opened vaccine at Disneyland Resort without an appointment.
‘The country’s three existing PODs [point of distribution] sites today were overwhelmed without appointments by individuals, which effectively closed the vaccination sites. It is critical for people to understand that appointment slots are available based on the availability of vaccine. The action without an appointment emphasizes the system and depletes scarce resources, “the health agency said in a statement.