I am at high risk for COVID-19 and am eligible to be vaccinated from Monday. What do you need to know?

On Monday, Californians aged 16 to 64 with underlying illness will be vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine, adding 4.4 million to the list of eligible people. Officials said it was the most vulnerable populations of all ages who suffered from the worst illnesses.

However, officials say it is also “challenging,” a generous screening process designed to balance the need to check a person’s condition with the urgency of immunizing as many people as possible. Was quoted.

Authorities warn that just because qualifications begin on Monday does not mean that you will be shot immediately. Supply is increasing in hundreds of clinics, pharmacies, mobile sites and pods, but supply is limited.

Remember that vaccines are still given to millions of healthcare workers, seniors, frontline workers and teachers who have priority in the early stages of deployment.

For example, in Los Angeles County alone, two million people with underlying illness will be eligible next week, officials said Friday.

The extent to which people are properly screened, and the pure demand for whether people cross the line in the guise of a medical condition, has raised concerns.

For those vaccinated under this qualification, county officials said they encouraged documenting the condition, but that was not mandatory. Instead, the minimum threshold was to prove that residents were at high risk or had obstacles that put them at risk.

“We certainly want people not to take advantage of the situation,” said Dr. Paul Simon, Chief Science Officer of the LA County Public Health Department. “I find it impractical for community site staff to screen people. We don’t have the medical expertise or medical history of that person to make that decision. That’s why I Are really encouraging people to go to their providers. “

In essence, authorities rely on people’s honesty to make it work.

“The reason behind self-certification is that, as you can imagine, it would be really difficult to prove or verify an individual with a particular type of comorbidity,” said Orange County Healthcare Agency Public Health. Margaret Bredehoft, Deputy Director of the Service, said.

I don’t know if I look at people with diabetes. She said doctors’ instructions and prescriptions were provided in a variety of formats, and that there were privacy concerns in asking for sharing of medical records.

Some county sites will continue to check your ID to confirm your age, place of residence, or workplace to make sure you have a reservation.

Larry Landauer, Secretary-General of the Orange County Regional Center, said that relying on people’s integrity could set some people apart, “that’s my concern.” The center coordinates services for OC residents with developmental disabilities.

“There are people who absolutely need priority, and they should have something from their doctor.”

Landauer and other regional centers said they are working to obtain a letter approved by the state’s public health ministry that can be distributed to clients demonstrating their eligibility for vaccination as early as Monday.

Who are you targeting?

People between the ages of 16 and 64 are eligible if they meet any of the following conditions:

• • Cancer, now that the immune system is weakened;
  • Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or higher;
  • Chronic lung disease, oxygen dependence;
  • Down’s syndrome;
  • Solid organ transplantation leads to weakening of the immune system;
  • pregnancy;
  • Sickle cell disease;
  • Cardiac conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathy (not hypertension).
  • Severe obesity (when body mass index is 40 kg / m2 or higher).Check with your doctor to see if you are eligible, or Try this converter from CDC; Or
  • Type 2 diabetes with hemoglobin A1c levels above 7.5%.

State standards also indicate that a person may be eligible as a result of developmental disability or other “serious and high-risk disability”, and one or more of the following criteria apply:

• COVID-19 infection can lead to serious, life-threatening illness and death.Or
• Obtaining COVID-19 limits your ability to receive ongoing care and services that are essential to your well-being and survival.Or
• Providing adequate and timely COVID care is especially difficult as a result of personal disability.

State officials say the group includes all registered users of regional centers and independent living centers. Home support services; community-based adult services and adult day health centers. Medi-Cal HIV / AIDS Exemption; Medi-Cal Home and Community-based Alternative Exemption Program. Medi-Cal Assisted Living exemption program. Comprehensive care for seniors programs. California Children’s Services Program (if your child is 16-21 years old). California’s Genetic Disability Program.

Do I need to provide a document of my condition when booking a vaccine?

No. State guidance does not require documentation on the type of diagnosis or failure because it is confidential. But expect that under state guidance, you will be asked to sign a “self-certification” that shows that you meet the criteria.

Brooke Federico, a spokeswoman for Riverside County, will see a screening sheet with a list of different illnesses for adults coming to the vaccine appointment next week and ask if they fall into one of those categories. Said.

“If the resident answers affirmatively, they will be vaccinated,” she said in an email. “You don’t need a copy of your doctor’s notes or medical records.”

Federico added that residents need to confirm their eligibility before making a reservation.

“Reservations can be filled soon,” she said, adding that as the county receives more vaccinations, more reservations will be made each week.

How do I get the vaccine if I belong to this high-risk group?

The county’s public health authorities recommend checking with your healthcare provider first. Although supplies are limited, some health systems and related clinics are vaccinated — and they may be bookable.

If you do not have a provider, or if your provider does not offer vaccination, you can book from the county vaccination website or hotline.

“When they make an appointment with a public vaccination clinic or pharmacy, they are asked to bring a form of verification of high-risk medical conditions and disabilities that reflects state guidance,” Wort added. ..

Don’t be surprised if your provider contacts you first.

For example, the supply of Kaiser Permanente continues to grow.

According to a statement from a giant provider, “this increased supply will be used to significantly increase the number of members who can be vaccinated.” “Kaiser Permanente has already begun to contact newly qualified members with underlying conditions, starting with the highest risk members.”

If you are not a healthcare provider, here are some ways to get an appointment if you qualify.

• Online at the state’s MyTurn system www.myturn.ca.gov. You can access this site in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Beijing, Cantonese, Korean and Japanese.
• If you do not have internet access, you can access the state COVID hotline 1-833-4CA-4ALL (Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday to Sunday 8 am to 5 pm).
• Book with your local health department. Not all health departments are connected to the state’s MyTurn site for such appointments.
• During March, pop-up clinics will appear throughout the community, especially in areas that are heavily affected by the virus. Check with your local city for more information.

If I can’t go to the vaccination site, can I get the vaccine at home?

County counties throughout California are expanding ways to vaccinate areas of greatest need. The mobile unit team is expanding. State authorities are advised to check with your healthcare provider, your local public health department, or your local pharmacy for options.

How do I get transportation to the vaccination site?