San Francisco Expands COVID Vaccine Eligibility to Include HIV, Deafness, Disabilities
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- San Francisco will allow people with HIV to get vaccinated, along with people who identify as deaf or disabled, starting on Monday when California opens up the number of residents eligible for the coronavirus vaccine to people with certain significant, high-risk medical conditions or disabilities.
An estimated 4.4 million Californians meet the state criteria, which includes more essential workers, people who work or live in jails, homeless shelters and other congregant places and those with disabilities and health conditions that put them at risk of severe COVID-19.
San Francisco is going beyond the state's eligibility rules by to cover developmental, medical, physical, sensory or behavioral health disabilities, including severe mental health or substance use disorders, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday.
"Getting vaccinations to people with disabilities and who have severe underlying conditions, and people who are in congregate settings, is an important part of our efforts to save lives and protect our most vulnerable residents," Mayor London Breed said in a statement.
She cautioned that despite opening up vaccine eligibility for several new groups, supply remains low. So far, roughly 27% of San Francisco residents have received at least one dose of vaccine.
Eligible people will not be required to provide documentation but will be asked to sign a self-attestation that they meet the criteria, the state's public health department said.
CALIFORNIA COVID STATISTICS MARCH 14
(Source: California Dept. of Public Health)
- California has 3,526,335 confirmed cases to date. Numbers may not represent true day-over-day change as reporting of test results can be delayed
- There were 2,772 newly recorded confirmed cases Saturday
- The 7-day positivity rate is 2.0%
- There have been 51,099,687 tests conducted in California. This represents an increase of 226,580 during the prior 24-hour reporting period
- There have been 55,235 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic
As of March 14, providers have reported administering a total of 11,785,750 vaccine doses statewide. The CDC reports that 15,702,230 doses have been delivered to entities within the state, and 16,361,975 vaccine doses, which includes the first and second dose, have been shipped. Numbers do not represent true day-to-day change as reporting may be delayed.
© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report
