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California To Help People With Developmental Disabilities Get The Vaccine
A California Army National Guard soldier directs cars toward the vaccine lanes (Sharon McNary/LAist)
Starting Monday, Californians ages 16 to 64 with developmental disabilities will become eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.
But proving eligibility at vaccine sites has been a struggle. People who qualify often have to track down the necessary paperwork on their own.
Now the state is trying to change that: it’s requiring California’s regional centers — nonprofits that help people with developmental disabilities — to send their clients personalized letters they can use to prove their eligibility.
Regional centers are also being directed to reach out to their clients online, by phone or in person to give them information on how to make an appointment, where to get vaccinated, and to answer any other questions they might have.
Starting Monday, the state will also prioritize people 16 to 64 who are immunocompromised with conditions like cancer or heart disease (you can see the complete list here), but it hasn’t said what documentation they’ll need to show.
People who are eligible can ask their medical provider if they’re offering the shot. Since they already have your medical history you probably won’t need qualifying paperwork.
GO DEEPER:
Answers To Your COVID-19 Vaccine Questions -- Safety, Eligibility, Access, And Much More
How To Schedule Your COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment In LA (And Across SoCal)
How To Get The Second Dose Of Vaccine -- And Everything You Need To Know About It
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