SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Millions more Californians are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and many don’t know they can get it.
On Feb. 2, the California Health Alert Network issued new guidelines clarifying that “caregivers” should be given priority access to the vaccine.
According to the letter, a caregiver is “an unpaid family member or other person who regularly assists and supervises the day-to-day care of an elderly or disabled person, but does not have to live in the same home.”
“They are a vital link between providing care to our aging population and those who cannot access care at all,” said Deb Martin, CEO of ElderHelp.
“Caregivers are at great risk, not only emotionally for the burden of caregivers, but also for the possibility of infecting the people they care for,” explains Martin.
But the definition of “caregiver” is vague. County officials say anyone who wants to get a vaccine as a caregiver should bring proof to the vaccination site.
“It requires a doctor’s note,” said County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. “A doctor must certify and verify that, and they must be able to present it to each of our facilities for an appointment.”
The Health Alert Network guidelines also say that the letter should use the term “caregiver” and come from the physician of the person being cared for.
The new requirements open up vaccines to millions of people in California. According to the CDC, 20% of Californians over the age of 45 say they act as caregivers for a friend or family member.
That includes an estimated 250,000 people in San Diego who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
“It’s a blessing to be recognized and vaccinated now,” said Adrienne Pierre, who takes care of her 86-year-old mother, Rosemary. She received the vaccine earlier this month as a caregiver.
“It’s not about me. It’s about (protecting my mom),” she explains.
“I am used to seeing my parents almost daily,” said Beth Klareich, who helps care for her parents Nancy and Herschel, but has yet to be vaccinated. “It would be a huge breakthrough for all of us in terms of their care and quality of life.”
There is concern that the vague definition would allow some people to take advantage of the program and “jump the line” to get a vaccine. But Martin says she doesn’t expect this to happen too often, and it’s a valuable risk if it means that people can get the care they need.
“As far as I’m concerned, everyone who gets the vaccination will be positive for the aging community,” says Martin. “It will support our work to try to eradicate this terrible pandemic that is affecting so many people.”