Californians ages 16 to 64 with high-risk health conditions now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Starting Monday, March 15, the State of California will open COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to people between ages 16 and 64 who have a severe underlying health condition or are at risk due to a severe disability.

It's the first non-age based recommendation for the coronavirus vaccine, meaning people under the age of 65 with underlying health conditions can now get the shot in California.

“We knew that patients that developed COVID at an older age were much more likely to have hospitalization and severe COVID disease requiring critical care and that type of work within the hospital,"says Dr. Scott Robertson at Marian Regional Medical Center.

Pharmacists at JDX pharmacy say most of their clients have high risk medical conditions, and are pleased about the new eligible group.

"Such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease... are allowed to get the vaccine this could really benefit the population," says pharmacist Sagar Asodia at JDX Pharmacy.

California Health & Human Services says this new group will add more than 4 million people to the 13 million already eligible for the vaccine statewide.

So doctors say be prepared to wait if you're trying to get an appointment.

"We don't have 4 or 5 million extra doses of vaccines on hand today, but we are receiving thousands of vaccines each and every day, and so it's important that you get in line and make sure that you're set up to receive the vaccine when your name is called," says Robertson.

Doctors say if you need help getting an appointment, you can go to the Santa Barbara County Public Health website