All 50 and older eligible for vaccine on April 1

Everyone age 50 and older will be eligible for a COVID vaccine in California starting April 1, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday. On April 15, the state will open appointments to Californians 16 and older.

But it’s likely to take several months to vaccinate everyone who wants a shot.

“(In) just a few weeks, there will be no rules, no limitations as it relates to the ability to get a vaccine administered,” Newsom said, speaking from a vaccination site in Santa Ana.

And in certain communities, starting Thursday, if an eligible person shows up for a vaccine with a family member — that family member also can receive a shot, no questions asked.

That will work only in areas in the bottom half of the California Healthy Places Index, which ranks neighborhoods based on income, access to education, healthcare and transportation, and other factors. Low-income, disadvantaged communities — particularly those with a high proportion of Latino residents — have been particularly hard-hit by the virus, but haven’t been vaccinated at equal rates. Newsom is trying to change that by ramping up vaccines for people in the bottom 25% of the Healthy Places Index — a priority he said will remain intact even as the state opens vaccine eligibility.

The state has increased vaccinations in that bottom quartile by 30%, Newsom said. But he acknowledged it’s still not enough.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” he said. “We’re mindful of that. We recognize we’re not even close to where we need to be.”

The state expects to receive about 2.5 million shots per week in the first half of April, and more than 3 million doses per week in the second half of the month. That’s up from the 1.8 million doses the state currently receives each week.

California has the capacity for more, if supply ramps up. The state can administer more than 3 million doses per week now, and expects to be able to administer 4 million per week by the end of April.

“We are even closer to putting this pandemic behind us with today’s announcement and with vaccine supplies expected to increase dramatically in the months ahead,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly wrote in a news release. “However, we are not there yet. It will take time to vaccinate all eligible Californians. During this time, we must not let our guard down. It is important that we remain vigilant, continue to wear masks and follow public health guidance.”

The new rules mean Newsom will be eligible to get vaccinated next Thursday.

“I look forward to getting the best shot,” he said. “And the best vaccine is the next one available. Whatever that vaccine is. And I would encourage those of you that have not yet done so to take the time, go on the My Turn app, fill out the form, learn about the site and location that’s proximate to you and work through the scheduling.”