Riverside County Opens COVID-19 Vaccination To Anyone 16 And Up

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Anyone 16 or older who lives, works or studies in Riverside County is now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination, county health officials said.

Only the Pfizer vaccine is available to 16-year-olds, who must have a parent or guardian provide consent for a shot. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have only been approved for people 18 years and older, according to the county.

The eligibility threshold to include everyone as young as 16 was supposed to occur statewide on April 15. But because the county is now well-stocked on vaccines — and fewer people are making appointments at clinics — the decision was made to move forward with adjusting the eligibility criteria, Riverside County Executive Office spokeswoman Brooke Federico told City News Service.

The portal to make an appointment for vaccination at county-run clinics and other sites can be accessed via www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine. Anyone who needs assistance may also call the county's 211 helpline.

Vaccination of children younger than 16 will start as soon as the COVID-19 vaccines are approved for them, according to the Riverside University Health System - Public Health website.