Healthcare Workers and Nursing Home Residents to Be Prioritized for COVID-19 Vaccine

What's the story?

• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted Tuesday to recommend that the first COVID-19 vaccines should go to healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities.
• "Long term care facility residents are defined as adults who reside in facilities that provide a variety of services, including medical and personal care, to persons who are unable to live independently," the CDC said.

"Healthcare personnel are defined as paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure or infectious materials."

• The recommendations now go to CDC Director Robert Redfield. If approved, they become official CDC recommendations on immunization in the United States and provide guidance to state officials.
• The CDC estimates that 48 million doses will be needed to vaccinate these groups, which account for about 24 million people.

-Josh Herman