As Vaccination Eligibility Expands, CVS Expands Rollout In RivCo

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — On the eve of expanded COVID-19 vaccination eligibility across the state, CVS announced it is increasing the number of California stores that will administer doses.

By Sunday, 286 CVS locations across the state will be vaccinating people, the company announced Thursday. In Riverside County, there are more than CVS 50 locations, although the company is not releasing a list of all its vaccine sites.

"We want to prevent stores from being overwhelmed by those who may seek a vaccination without making an appointment through our online scheduling tool," the company said. "Active stores also may change based on vaccine supply. The list of specific stores will be accessible on CVS.com as stores receive shipments of vaccine and appointments become available. Customers should continue to check availability on CVS.com."

Some of the new locations may start booking appointments as early as Saturday, according to the company. In addition to booking online, appointments can also be made by phone at CVS Customer Service: 800-746-7287. Walk-in vaccinations without an appointment will not be provided.

The CVS news comes ahead of the state's expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility. On Monday, people with underlying health conditions and/or disabilities who are 16 years of age or older will be eligible for vaccination, according to California Department of Public Health guidelines.

The CDPH guidelines include people who are deemed to be at the highest risk to get very sick from COVID-19 because they have one or more of the following severe health conditions:

• Cancer, current with a weakened immune system
• Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
• Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen-dependent
• Down syndrome
• Solid organ transplant, leading to a weakened immune system
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (but not hypertension)
• Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%OR

People with developmental or other severe high-risk disability can also be vaccinated beginning Monday if one or more of the following applies:

• The person is likely to develop severe life-threatening illness or death from COVID-19 infection
• Acquiring COVID-19 will limit the person’s ability to receive ongoing care or services vital to their well-being and survival
• Providing adequate and timely COVID care will be particularly challenging as a result of the person’s disability

Find more details from the state here.

CVS's vaccine supply for the expanded rollout is being sourced directly from the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.