Beginning Monday – in most parts of the state – people with disabilities or those aged 16 to 64 who are suffering from a serious illness or are at increased risk of dying from COVID-19 are eligible with a health condition.
The city will also open appointments to individuals who live or work in high-risk care settings, including health, hazardous facilities, homeless shelters and residential care and treatment facilities, the public health department announced Friday. People who feel homeless will also be eligible.
The Mayor of London Breed said in a statement: “Vaccinating people with disabilities and those with serious conditions and those in congested settings is an important part of our efforts to save lives and protect our most vulnerable residents.”
He warned that despite opening up vaccine eligibility for many new groups, supply remains low. So far, about 27% of San Francisco residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Statewide, California is opening vaccination qualifications for Phase 1C on Monday, including people aged 16 to 64 with disabilities and health conditions that put them at risk of severe COVID-19. About 4.4 million people meet state standards. Counties choose when to start vaccinating people in that group based on local supply.
Health conditions included in the state’s eligibility list include cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic pulmonary disease, Down syndrome, organ transplantation, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, heart failure, severe obesity and type 2 diabetes.
San Francisco will expand the state’s eligibility to allow people with HIV to be vaccinated and with people known as deaf or disabled. The city is also expanding the state’s definition of disability, including those with developmental, medical, physical, sensory or behavioral health disabilities, severe mental health or substance use disorders.
San Francisco will not require proof of qualification at vaccination clinics but will have to rely on an honors system.
The city’s health director, Dr. “Signing a contract with COVID-19 or protecting our community members at risk of death is a great step forward,” said Grant Colefax. “Vaccination of people with internal health conditions and disabilities or those who are in a life-sustaining manner for fear of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 is an important step in protecting our city.”
City officials said collect settings such as prisons, homeless shelters and behavioral health facilities, which have large concentrations of individuals with severe health conditions, are considered at risk of COVID-19 outbreaks.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health plans to establish a series of mobile vaccination pilot programs to reach this population.
Edin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer. Email: [email protected]
