A brand new KFF evaluation examines the completely different approaches states are taking to handle the restricted preliminary provide of COVID-19 vaccines and stability the need to vaccinate these at best danger first with the necessity to guarantee a quick and efficient statewide vaccination effort.
Primarily based on a assessment of state vaccination plans, the evaluation finds that states are more and more departing from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s suggestions as they transfer by means of the primary three phases of distribution (referred to as Phases 1a, 1b and 1c).
Key findings embody:
- All states and the District of Columbia are prioritizing well being care staff and long-term care residents and workers in Part 1a of their plans as beneficial, although 16 states depart from the suggestions ultimately. This consists of 10 states which can be prioritizing legislation enforcement and/or different first responders within the preliminary group, and one state (Utah) that’s vaccinating Ok-12 and childcare staff.
- Of the 44 states which have up to date their Part 1b precedence teams, 14 comply with the CDC’s suggestions precisely and can prioritize individuals ages 75 and older and frontline important staff outdoors of well being care, together with first responders, corrections officers, meals and agriculture staff, postal staff, manufacturing staff, grocery retailer staff, public transit staff, academics and training assist workers, and little one care staff.
- Among the many 30 states that depart from the Part 1b suggestions, 23 embody a broader vary of older residents (typically ages 65 and older), 18 use modified definitions for eligible frontline staff, together with a number of that restrict frontline staff to educators and/or first responders. Many additionally embody these in different congregate settings, notably people who find themselves incarcerated and homeless, of their precedence teams.
- Of the 33 states which have up to date their Part 1c precedence teams, 17 comply with the CDC’s advice to prioritize individuals ages 65-74, youthful individuals with high-risk medical circumstances, and any important staff not included in earlier phases. Normally, the variations stem from selections to incorporate some teams earlier within the vaccination line, although some states expanded the age teams and/or narrowed the definition of important staff in Part 1c.
- Most states (40) nonetheless stay in Part 1a of their vaccine roll-out general or for some counties inside the state; solely 10 states and the District of Columbia have moved into vaccinating these in Part 1b.
The evaluation concludes that figuring out particular precedence teams could extra successfully goal a restricted provide of vaccines, however may result in larger problem in implementing vaccine distribution plans and make it tougher to speak these plans to the general public. The rising variations throughout states recommend that an individual’s place within the COVID-19 vaccine precedence line will more and more depend upon the place they dwell.
The evaluation features a information desk displaying how every state is prioritizing vaccination efforts in these early phases. KFF will replace this information as states reveal, make clear and revise their prioritization plans.