California residents over the age of 65 are now able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday.
“There is no higher priority than efficiently and equitably distributing these vaccines as quickly as possible to those who face the gravest consequences,” said Newsom in a statement. “Individuals 65 and older are now the next group eligible to start receiving vaccines. To those not yet eligible for vaccines, your turn is coming. We are doing everything we can to bring more vaccines into the state.”
The announcement comes after a Tuesday morning call between the federal government and states in which Trump administration officials called for states to extend vaccine eligibility to those 65 and older as well as those under 65 with underlying conditions.
California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly held a COVID-19 briefing Tuesday where he announced state health officials will meet to discuss new federal recommendations to expedite the distribution of the vaccine.
“The governor has immediately directed us to bring together our drafting guidelines work group, our community vaccine advisory committee,” said Ghaly. “Those communications have already begun and will go throughout the day so that we can evaluate the federal guidance, determine how it’s going to impact what we do here in California and with haste, without delay, get that updated guidance out.”
The California Department of Public Health has previously developed the state’s existing COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan which is broken into three phases, 1A, 1B and 1C.
The announcement moves California into part of the second tier of phase 1B.
Phase 1A is about three million people, including healthcare workers and long-term care residents, according to the state.
Phase 1B Tier One includes individuals 75 and older as well as those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors:
- Education
- Childcare
- Emergency services
- Food and agriculture
Phase 1B Tier Two includes individuals 65 -74 years of age. Not announced Wednesday are others included in the second phase, such as those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors:
- Transportation and logistics
- Industrial, commercial, residential and sheltering facilities and services
- Critical manufacturing
- Congregate settings with outbreak risk:
- Incarcerated
- Homeless
Phase 1C includes individuals 50 -64 years of age people 16-49 years of age and have an underlying health condition or disability which increases their risk of severe COVID-19
Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors:
- Water and wastewater
- Defense
- Energy
- Chemical and hazardous materials
- Communications and IT
- Financial services
- Government operations / community-based essential functions
For updates on the California COVID-19 vaccine distribution visit here.
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