California has expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine, with nearly half of all residents now eligible as of Monday, March 15, 2021. Californians aged 16 - 64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk for morbidity and mortality as a direct result of one or more severe health conditions or high-risk disabilities are now eligible to get COVID-19 vaccines.

The national supply of the vaccine remains limited, so appointments for the estimated 4.4 million Californians with qualifying conditions or disabilities will not immediately be available to all who are eligible.  As supply increases throughout the spring, more appointments for vaccines will become available.

According to a provider bulletin from the California Department of Public Health, health care providers will be able to use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals age 16-64 who meet the established criteria.  

To protect confidentiality, verification documentation of the diagnosis or type of disability is not required but instead anyone meeting the eligibility requirements will be asked to sign a self-attestation that they meet the criteria for high-risk medical conditions or disabilities. 

The list of eligible conditions can be found on the CDPH website and is subject to change as additional scientific evidence is published and as CDPH obtains and analyzes additional state-specific data. 

For more information, see the CDPH Fact Sheet.