People aged 16 to 64 with disabilities or with qualifying health conditions who are at high risk of suffering from serious illness or dying of COVID-19 can be vaccinated in San Francisco – and in much of the state – from Monday receive.
The department will also open appointments for individuals living in a high-risk care environment, including correctional facilities, homeless shelters and residential care and treatment facilities, the public health department announced Friday. People who experience homelessness will also be eligible.
“The vaccination of people with disabilities and serious underlying conditions, and people living in urban areas, is an important part of our efforts to save lives and to protect our most vulnerable residents,” Mayor London Breed said in a statement. .
She warned that supply is still low, despite the fact that the vaccine is eligible for several new groups. To date, approximately 27% of San Francisco residents have received at least one dose of vaccine.
Statewide, California, on Monday opens access to Phase 1C vaccination, which includes people ages 16 to 64 with disabilities and health conditions that put them at risk for severe COVID-19. About 4.4 million people meet the criteria of the state. Provinces choose when they want to vaccinate people in the group based on local supply.
Health conditions that appear in the state’s fitness list include cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, Down syndrome, organ transplantation, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, heart failure, severe obesity and type 2 diabetes.
San Francisco will broaden the suitability of the state somewhat, including enabling people to be vaccinated with HIV, along with people who identify themselves as deaf or disabled. The city also extends the state’s definition of disabilities to developmental, medical, physical, sensory, or behavioral health disabilities, including severe mental health or drug use disorders.
San Francisco requires no proof of qualification at vaccination clinics, but relies on the honor system.
“This is a good step in protecting members of our community who are at higher risk of contracting or dying of COVID-19,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, the city’s director of health, said. “Many of those with underlying health conditions and disabilities or in community living conditions, have had to endure greater isolation over the past year for fear of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 and vaccinating the population is a critical step to our city. protect.”
City officials said municipal institutions such as prisons, homeless shelters and behavioral health facilities, which house large concentrations of people with chronic health conditions, are considered a high risk for COVID-19 outbreaks.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health plans to set up a series of mobile vaccination pilot programs to reach these populations.
Aidin Vaziri is a staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected]