SLO County qualifies the COVID-19 vaccine for all residents 16 and older

All San Luis Obispo County residents aged 16 and older can now register to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at an SLO County Public Health Vaccination Clinic.

Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein made the announcement at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Public health officials say this opens the possibility of vaccine eligibility for approximately 54,000 additional residents of SLO County.

The province will continue to prioritize those at higher risk for COVID-19 complications based on age and health conditions when scheduling appointments, so based on vaccine supply, health officials say it could take a few weeks for those new to eligible to get an appointment.

Officials say the public health department currently has enough supplies to administer about 9,000 first doses next week at one of three mass vaccination clinics in Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande.

Eligible residents under the age of 18 will only receive the Pfizer vaccine. It is the only vaccine currently approved by the FDA for use in 16 and 17 year olds.

Those under the age of 18 must also be accompanied by a parent or guardian to get vaccinated.

To sign up for an appointment, go to recoverslo.org/vaccineregistration or call the county telephone assistance center at (805) 543-2444.

Public health officials say some pharmacies that receive their vaccine assignment from the federal government rather than the county may not immediately make arrangements for this newly eligible group.

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