All adult Californians could be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by May.
"We’re anticipating within 5 1/2 weeks where we can eliminate all of the tiering so to speak, and make available (the) vaccines to everybody across the spectrum because supply will exponentially increase," Gov. Gavin Newsom said. "So in a few weeks, these issues will substantively be addressed."
The governor made the comments on Friday following a meeting with AAPI community leaders in San Francisco Chinatown.
That 5 1/2-week estimation roughly lands the governor's target at the end of April or the beginning of May, aligning with President Biden's timeline of making all Americans eligible for a vaccine by May 1, which the president unveiled during a prime time address to the nation last week.
California's vaccine equity and dose distribution issues have plagued the state's rollout. Meanwhile, other states have begun to announce similar timelines for vaccine eligibility to all residents.
Earlier this week, millions of Californians became eligible for the first time, including residents ages 16 to 64 with certain high-risk medical conditions, those with disabilities or illnesses, and people in congregate living spaces like homeless shelters or prisons. Transportation workers also moved to the front of the line.
That brought in an additional 4.4 million people.
While supply has remained a constant issue, that could change soon.
Blue Shield of California CEO Paul Markovich told the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday that California's vaccine supply could double by the end of April as more doses of the newly-approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine are available.
The company handles statewide vaccine allocation.
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