Now that the COVID-19 vaccine has arrived, the United States, like other countries around the world, is rolling out the widest-ranging and most intensive inoculation program in history. Of course, in vaccinating an entire population in such a short time, demand will exceed supply, at least in the beginning.
Many people will wonder if and when they will get a chance to get their shots. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) devised a phased vaccination scheme. The vaccine was available to specific groups of the population in succession with limited supplies.
Phases of COVID-19 vaccine distribution
There are two phases in the CDC’s vaccination plan. Phase 1 consists of three sub-phases. Phase 1 prioritizes healthcare personnel, essential workers and the most vulnerable. So, they offered the vaccine in the following stages:
- Phase 1a: Healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents
- Phase 1b: Frontline essential workers and persons older than 75 not targeted in phase 1a.
- Phase 1c: Persons between the ages of 65 and 74. Plus, high-risk persons between the ages of 16 and 64. Then, essential workers not offered vaccines in phase 1b.
Phase 2 includes everyone over the age of 16, who has not been included in the previous sub-phases. The vaccine is not yet cleared for use in children under the age of 16. The exact timeframe in which these phases will roll out is difficult to determine at this stage. It will depend on the availability of the drug and the speed of delivery at the various healthcare facilities around the country.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccination, members of the public should watch the CDC website and ask their local healthcare provider. Contact Grace Federal for more information on healthcare consulting solutions.
