Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
States Press Accelerator On Plans To Expand Vaccinations To All Adults
The New York Times: These 31 States Are Expanding Covid-19 Vaccine Eligibility
At least 31 states have pledged to make vaccines universally available to their adult populations by mid-April, and many more have announced plans to expand eligibility on or before May 1, a goal set by President Biden. Alaska, Mississippi, Utah and West Virginia have already made all adults eligible to receive shots, and some local jurisdictions have also begun vaccinating all adults. (Tumin, 3/26)
Los Angeles Times: All California Adults To Be COVID Vaccine Eligible In April
California is dramatically expanding the eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines, offering the shots to virtually all residents 16 and older beginning next month, the state announced Thursday. Residents who are at least 50 years old can get vaccines starting April 1, and all Californians 16 and older will be eligible starting April 15. (Money and Shalby, 3/25)
Tampa Bay Times: Florida To Lower Coronavirus Vaccine Eligibility To 40, Then To 18
Florida will lower the age for coronavirus vaccination to 40 on Monday, then to all residents 18 and older a week later, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday, marking the largest and final expansion of eligibility in the state’s rollout of shots for adults. The news, announced on Twitter, brings long-awaited relief to younger residents across Florida — and to the state as a whole as COVID-19 infections are falling and the pandemic seems to be inching closer to its end. (Reeves, 3/25)
KTAR: Here's What You Need To Know About Arizona's Expanded Vaccine Eligibility
Arizona threw the doors open on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility at 8 a.m. Wednesday. The age requirement dropped from 55 to as low as 16 for state-run vaccination sites and other metro Phoenix points of dispensing. By 8:20 a.m., all of this week’s remaining appointments for state-operated sites were filled, the Arizona Department of Health Services said. (Stone, 3/24)
Axios: Minnesota To Expand COVID Vaccine Eligibility To Everyone Over 16 On March 30
All Minnesotans 16 and older will be eligible to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment starting Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday. It's coming at a critical time in our quest to return to pre-pandemic life. While hospitalizations and deaths remain down, cases are rising, especially among young people. (Van Oot, 3/25)
NBC Connecticut: Conn. Moves Up Vaccine Eligibility For 16 And Older To April 1
Connecticut residents age 16 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning April 1, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Thursday. (3/25)
Axios: The New Vaccine Waiting Game
Congratulations! You're about to be eligible to ... wait some more for the vaccine. States are expanding eligibility for COVID vaccines by broad age groups — and some are opening it to all adults. But that doesn't always mean they have enough vaccine supplies to offer appointments to everyone in the new groups. (Nather, 3/26)
In related news —
Arizona Republic: Some Disabled Arizonans Upset With State Opening COVID-19 Vaccine To All Ages Before Them
Arizona's vaccine rollout program first began as an age-based system that also prioritized vaccines for frontline workers, such as hospital staff, regardless of age. That changed on Monday when the state announced that anyone over the age of 16 would be eligible for the vaccine at state-run sites. But that's drawn the ire of some in the state's disability community, who say they are now being unfairly made to compete with millions for appointments that are usually gone in minutes. (Frank, 3/25)
KTAR: Arizona COVID Vaccine Appointments All Booked 20 Minutes After Age Drop
All available COVID-19 vaccine appointments at Arizona’s state-run sites were snapped up within 20 minutes of the minimum age requirement dropping to 16 on Wednesday morning. At 8 a.m. Wednesday, COVID-19 vaccine eligibility was extended to all adults at state-run sites and other points of dispensing in Maricopa County, with the age cutoff set at 16 for the Pfizer vaccine and 18 for Moderna or Johnson & Johnson shots. (Stone, 3/24)
WMFE: NBA's Miami Heat Offers Vaccinated-Only Seating For Home Games
Fans of the Miami Heat who are fully vaccinated will have their own seating at the team’s home games this season. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that “vaccinated-only” seating will be offered at the American Airlines Arena starting on April 1. (3/25)
