Louisiana Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility: Here's Who Can Get A Shot

On the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday (March 8) that the state was expanding eligibility for coronavirus vaccinations, WWL-TV reports.

Starting Tuesday, residents ages 16 to 64 with one or more underlying high-risk health conditions will be eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This new group also includes staff at congregate living facilities. Residents 65 and older, dialysis patients and providers, and residents who are pregnant already qualify for vaccination.

According to the Gov. Edwards, the health conditions listed for this new group are defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and include the following:

• Asthma
• Cancer
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Down Syndrome
• Heart conditions
• High blood pressure
• Immunocompromised
• Immunocompromised state from solid organ transplant
• Liver disease
• Neurological conditions
• Overweight
• Obesity
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Severe Obesity
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Smoking
• Thalassemia
• Type 1 Diabetes mellitus
• Type 2 Diabetes mellitus

"It is extremely important that people be honest and that only the people who have these conditions or in this age range avail themselves of this vaccine," said Edwards.

To find out if you are eligible or to find where to get vaccinated, visit the state's website here.

Photo: Getty Images