It’s finally here! The COVID vaccine is now available to certain people based on where they rank on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scale.

The CDC based the ranking off of highest risk of infection to lowest risk of infection. The first rank of people that the vaccine opened up to were the ones who fell under Phase 1A. The CDC estimated this phase at having about three million people. This includes healthcare workers and long-term care residents. These groups are at the highest risk of infection due to the fact that they are exposed to people who have or might have COVID-19 24/7.

The very first vaccine doses administered in California were given to healthcare workers in Los Angeles on December 14, 2020. Since then, California has opened up many stations in different stores and medical offices where certain ranks of people can get their first dose of the vaccine. Some of these places include hospitals, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Costco, and Walmart. In order for the vaccine to be fully effective, every person must get two doses that are taken 20 days apart.

The next phase, Phase 1B, has an estimate of 12 million people. This phase includes individuals 65 and older, Sector Populations: Agriculture and Foods, Education and childcare, and Emergency services. The more vaccine doses California gets, the more phases that are eligible to receive it.

Starting March 15, 2021, healthcare providers may use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals ages 16-65 who are deemed high risk of infection due to severe health conditions. These health conditions include cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic pulmonary disease, down syndrome, solid organ transplant, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, heart conditions, severe obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Eduardo Sandoval, a community member and my father said,” I just recently got my first shot and am currently waiting to get my second one. All I can say is that I am happy that the vaccine is finally out.”

Now that the vaccine is starting to be distributed to more and more people every day, all people can hope for is that the spreading of the virus goes down and everything can start going back to normal.