San Francisco and Santa Clara are the latest Bay Area counties to open up vaccine eligibility to everyone over the age of 16, effective immediately.
This puts the counties two days ahead of the state in making everyone 16 and older eligible to get vaccinated.
Alameda and Contra Costa counties have also expanded eligibility earlier than expected.
"Even with limited supply, San Francisco continues to be well ahead of the national average for how many of our residents have been vaccinated," said Mayor London Breed. "There’s an end to this pandemic in sight, and we’re doing everything we can to make that happen as soon as possible."
Last week, San Francisco expanded eligibility to those 16 and older in eight priority zip codes: 4124, 94134, 94112, 94110, 94107, 94102, 94103 and 94130. Now all city residents 16 or over can sign up for vaccine appointments.
Santa Clara County had started allowing younger residents to sign up for their appointments last week, but those appointments were only available starting Apr. 15. Tuesday's expansion means residents can sign up for earlier appointments.
Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, testing and vaccine officer for Santa Clara County, said that even with the pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccines, the county received a significant increase in vaccine supply that allowed them to release tens of thousands of additional appointments for this week.
Dr. Fenstersheib said the county will be able to cover all scheduled appointments with its supply of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
But while eligibility has now expanded, supply is still expected to be limited and officials warn that it may take several weeks before people find available appointments.
San Francisco officials say that nearly 60% of residents 16 and older have already received one dose.
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