California opens vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and up

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) office announced on Thursday that all Californians aged 16 and up will now be eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.

Newsom had previously said in March that California was anticipating “an abundance” of vaccines from the federal government in April through May.

“Today’s vaccine eligibility expansion is a major milestone in our state’s fight against the pandemic and another step on the path to reopening fully in the coming months,” Newsom said in a statement. “Thanks to the hard work of Californians who followed public health guidelines, our case rates and hospitalizations are among the lowest they’ve been since the start of the pandemic. 

“California will need all hands on deck to keep up this progress, and I encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” Newsom added. “Vaccinating all of those who are eligible will take time, but our statewide providers are ready to meet the increased demand and we are excited to get this vaccine into the arms of all Californians who want them, especially those in the hardest hit communities.”

This vaccine expansion comes exactly two months before California aims to fully reopen its economy on July 15. In March, Newsom and health officials said “all sectors” may return to normal operations “in compliance with Cal/OSHA requirements and with common-sense public health policies in place, such as required masking, testing and with vaccinations encouraged.”

President Biden announced last week that he was moving up the target to have all American adults become eligible for the vaccine up by two weeks to Monday, April 19.

“Despite the progress we are making as a nation, I want every American to know in no uncertain terms that this fight isn’t over. This progress we have worked so hard to achieve can be reversed. Now is not the time to let down. Now is not the time to celebrate,” Biden said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California has administered over 24 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine. Nearly 1 out of 5 Californians have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine so far and almost 30 percent are fully vaccinated.

Those who are now eligible can go to MyTurn.ca.gov or call (833) 422-4255 to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated.