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On March 16, the California Department of Public Health issued a reminder to local health jurisdictions and vaccine providers about vaccine eligibility, eligibility changes, and clarifications.
Addressing the expansion of vaccine eligibility that took effect on March 15, this reminder clarifies how to verify eligibility for those ages 16-64 who are deemed to be at highest risk to get very sick from COVID-19 due to specified severe health conditions or developmental or other severe disabilities or illness.
According to the reminder, verification of eligibility can occur through self-attestation during online or on-site registration, or through health system providers who invite eligible patients based on electronic health records. Importantly, the reminder states that, to encourage only eligible patients to make appointments, all clinical and vaccine providers should share accurate eligibility criteria.
Additionally, because some vaccine providers may choose to require verification at the vaccination site, patients should be given clear, advanced notice of what documentation to bring.
Finally, to facilitate clarity on the part of local health jurisdictions and vaccine providers, the reminder provides links to CDPH’s existing guidance on vaccine eligibility, which includes the vaccine web page where general and new information is posted, its fact sheet for the public, the updated Provider Bulletin elaborating on the qualifying high risk medical conditions and disabilities, the updated COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Guidelines clarifying Phase 1A and Phase 1B, and the Clinician Health Information Notice (includes behavioral health).