California to begin COVID-19 vaccinations for those at highest risk in mid-March
FILE - Registered nurse Emily Enos attempts to extract an extra dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine outside the Los Angeles Mission located in the Skid Row community on Feb.10, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
OAKLAND, Calif. - California Health and Human Services secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced Friday that as of March 15, state healthcare providers can begin vaccinating people ages 16-64 with the "highest risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19."
Those risks include cancer, chronic kidney or pulmonary disease, down syndrome, weakened immune system, pregnancy, Sickle cell disease, heart conditions, severe obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
People may also be eligible for the vaccine if they have a disability that makes them likely to develop a life-threatening illness from COVID-19.
Currently, there are 13 million people eligible for the coronavirus vaccine. This new group will add an estimated 4-6 million people to that group, meaning 17-19 million people are able to sign up to get vaccinated.
Healthcare providers may use their clinical judgement in deciding if an individual is eligible for the vaccine.