“Part of the process we’ve set up in California - really thoughtful, trying to focus on risk and exposure and equity - have led to some delays in getting vaccines out into our communities.” dr. Production has reached a point where there is now enough to start releasing more doses to states as they become available, Azar said. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared that the federal government would no longer reserve doses for the second shot - both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine require two doses. The announcement comes a day after the U.S. Next week, the state will launch a text-and-email notification system so Californians can keep track of when they’re eligible to sign up for their shot, according to the state’s public health department. In an emailed statement Tulare County health officials said: “We, like many of our residents, are frustrated with the continual changes in direction and prioritization at the State level and have concerns that current vaccine supply is insufficient to effectively accomplish the goals of vaccinating all individuals aged 65+ in the community, along with all of our critical workforce.” Others have expressed frustration about the change in direction. Riverside County health officials said they’ll be adopting the state’s new recommendation and have scheduled a vaccination clinic at Diamond Stadium for this weekend that will serve only people 65 and over. The state guidelines are recommendations, leaving actual decisions up to the counties.įor now, some counties, such as Santa Clara, have said they will follow the original plan of vaccinating people 75 and older first because they’re unsure of how many more doses they’ll receive in the coming weeks. Also, distribution could differ by county and even by health providers, which are responsible for on-the-ground distribution. So while supply is expected to ramp up, access is still likely to be limited for those newly eligible. And health workers and nursing home residents are still being vaccinated. The state has about 6 million people who are 65 and older, but has only received 2.8 million doses. State officials have not yet explained that decision to deviate from the new federal recommendations. The federal government this week directed states to open vaccinations to people 65 and over and to people under 65 with a preexisting condition, noting that many states were being “too prescriptive” and not distributing vaccines fast enough.Ĭalifornia’s new guidelines do not include people under 65 with preexisting conditions. Tomás Aragón, director of the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “With our hospitals crowded and ICUs full, we need to focus on vaccinating Californians who are at highest risk of becoming hospitalized to alleviate stress on our health care facilities,” Dr. But people over age 65 make up the majority of hospitalizations and nearly three-quarters of the COVID-19 deaths. State health officials had previously declared that California would focus on vaccinating health workers and nursing home residents, with seniors 75 and older and certain essential workers to follow. As complaints mount about the state’s lagging vaccine rollout, health officials allow any seniors to seek the shot now - but not younger people with preexisting conditions.Ĭalifornia is opening COVID-19 vaccines to all residents 65 and older - an announcement that comes amid a slower-than-expected vaccination rollout and growing frustration among seniors most vulnerable to the virus.
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