Californians 16 and older with underlying health conditions now able to get the coronavirus vaccine

According to a bulletin sent to providers across the state, starting Monday, March 15th, the California Department of Public Health advised that vaccinations can be made to people between ages 16 and 64 who suffer from:

• Cancer, current with debilitated or immunocompromised state
• Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
• Chronic pulmonary disease,  oxygen dependent
• Down syndrome
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (excludes hypertension)
• Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%

"Healthcare providers may use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals age 16-64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19."

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It's not only those in the category listed above but also additional occupations will be eligible for vaccination. “Approximately half of the Riverside County population is eligible for the vaccine at this point,” said Brooke Federico, public information officer with Riverside County. Utility workers, social workers, and foster care workers are among those who are eligible going forward for vaccination. Proof of employment will be required.

Riverside County representatives said vaccine supply is improving but the need still outweighs availability. The county is not the only place people can go to get their vaccine.

Representative Raul Ruiz partnered with Eisenhower Health and the Coachella Senior Center to get more vaccines to people who were having difficulty getting them. “We are now expediting these vaccines and the sooner we can get vaccinated especially at the highest risk communities, medically underserved communities Governor Newsom has targeted, the sooner we can get to the red tier and move forward from there to get our society back to a sense of normalcy,” said Representative Raul Ruiz M.D.

Pharmacies like Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS will be taking appointments for those eligible. The county also recommended people ask their personal doctors for their vaccine availability. “There’s going to be more vaccines in the coming weeks where you’re going to see an increase in the amount of programs that are out there,” said Ruiz.

The Coachella Senior Center will be vaccinating more eligible people with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine Monday, March 22nd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Riverside County representatives tell News Channel 3, Johnson and Johnson one shot vaccine is helping speed up the process. Even though it has just started, they said it is increasing the number of vaccine appointments.

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