State officials announced Friday, Feb. 12, that administrators could begin coronavirus vaccinations within a month for anyone under the age of 65 with a medical condition that increases their likelihood of a fatal case from COVID-19.
Starting March 15, health care providers across California will be able to vaccinate people ages 16 to 64 who are most at risk if they contract the coronavirus, including people with cancer, chronic lung disease, and various heart conditions.
Also included are pregnant women, people with Down’s syndrome and people who are seriously overweight, type 2 diabetes or, among other things, an organ transplant.
“We recognize that certain individuals in many of the different categories, whether in work or age, have additional risk factors based on different disabilities (and) different conditions,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly. reporters Friday afternoon.
The announcement came a turbulent month after Southern California’s public health departments and private networks expanded vaccination campaigns to 65-year-old seniors amid shortage of supplies and massive demand.
Adding people ages 16 to 64 with health problems will add an additional 6 million eligible people, in addition to the millions of seniors and health professionals who can schedule admissions today, Ghaly said.
“We still have a lot to do with the scarcity of vaccines,” he said.
But while the outlook for the delivery is cloudy, Ghaly said administrators are now clear to get more doses from the vaccine vials already in the state. Those on the front lines giving injections can now stretch Pfizer vials to six doses instead of five, and Moderna vials can now deliver 11 doses instead of 10.
“The hope is that stocks will increase and that we will work on our communication and engagement to make sure people feel comfortable and safe when they get vaccinated, and that everything comes together as soon as possible,” Ghaly said.
Doses administered by health officials in Los Angeles increased earlier this week than expected, forcing five massive vaccination centers to be closed.
Officials in Orange County, meanwhile, said on Tuesday they would continue to focus their efforts on seniors and wait at least two more weeks before offering the photos to educators, food staff and others next to get them.
As of Feb. 12, 5.5 million doses of both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna injections have been administered statewide, according to the Department of Public Health, which notes that the numbers “ do not represent a true daily change as reporting has slowed to be.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that just under 8 million doses have been delivered in California and nearly 8.2 million doses have been shipped.