We are seeing many available appointments at public health clinics have not been filled, county Executive Office spokeswoman Booke Federico told City News Service when asked why the county was able to lower inoculation qualification ahead of the state schedule.
Only the Pfizer vaccine is currently available to those as young as 16, and any recipients will have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian as part of the consent process, according to the Riverside University Health System. The minimum age for Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccine doses is 18, per current health guidelines.
County Department of Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari said the purpose of vaccinating the segment of the population with the least exposure risk is to bring us one step closer to herd immunity.
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As of just last week, the vaccination age threshold was reset to 50 years and up. (Shutterstock)
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA Coronavirus vaccination age eligibility will drop to 16 years old in Riverside County Tuesday, more than a week ahead of when the California Department of Public Health said the change would take place. More vaccine is available now, and opening eligibility will move us even further towards our goal of vaccinating the majority of our residents, Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Spiegel said.
The vaccination age threshold was reset to 50 years and up last week, and the CDPH had indicated that April 15 would be the date for offering immunizations to those as young as 16.
“The expansion of eligibility will allow the last large group of Riverside County adult residents to get vaccinated, and bring us one step closer to herd immunity,” county Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari said in a prepared statement. “Bringing the vaccine to a younger population, where we have seen an increase in cases, is a big step forward.”
Residents ages 16 and 17 will need a parent or guardian with them in order to receive a vaccine. The only vaccine approved for 16- and 17-year-olds is the Pfizer vaccine.
All three vaccines Pfizer, Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson are approved for those age 18 and older.
Looking for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment? As of Monday afternoon, there were hundreds of open slots at sites across the Coachella Valley offering both first and second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
The Palm Springs Convention Center, which administers first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine, has nearly 200 appointments left today and more than 500 Tuesday. Slots were available starting at 8:30 a.m.
The convention center is located at 277 N. Avenida Caballeros in Palm Springs.
The Indio Fairgrounds, which administers first and second doses of Moderna, has more than 200 appointments today and more than 500 available Tuesday through Friday. Slots were available starting at 8:30 a.m.
Riverside County residents ages 16 or older eligible for vaccine starting Apr 6 foxla.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from foxla.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.