Californians under 65 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk for morbidity and mortality as a direct result of one or more severe health conditions or high-risk disabilities will be eligible to get COVID-19 vaccines starting March 15, 2021, under new guidance announced Friday by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). 

According to a CDPH provider bulletin, health care providers will be able to use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals age 16-64 who meet the established criteria.  

The list of eligible conditions can be found on the CDPH website and is subject to change as additional scientific evidence is published and as CDPH obtains and analyzes additional state-specific data. 

Currently vaccines are being administered to populations identified in Phase 1A (health care workers and long-term care residents) and Phase 1B, Tier 1 (individuals age 65 and older, and individuals working in the education/childcare, emergency services and food/agriculture sectors).