San Luis Obispo County opens COVID-19 vaccination eligibility for multiple residents.
From now on, food and agricultural workers, emergency services and the education and care of children, as well as people aged 16 to 64 with certain high-risk or disabled medical conditions and caregivers who provide home care to people elderly or medically vulnerable residents sign up for a meeting.
Public health officials estimate that this will make approximately 40,000 additional SLO County residents eligible for the vaccine.
Health officials say residents who are eligible for the job will be required to present a form of identification and a recent certificate of payment to verify employment. Those who are eligible due to a medical condition or a disability will be asked to self-certify their specific condition.
Healthcare workers and people aged 65 and over have been eligible for a vaccination program for some time. Education and childcare workers have also recently been eligible, but only through appointments made by their employers.
County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon that the change comes as the Department of Public Health has seen a decline in demand for vaccines in previously eligible sectors.
Health officials say the county has enough vaccine intake to administer 5,500 first doses next week to county vaccination clinics in Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo.
To find out if you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in SLO County and to register for an appointment, click here.