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The shift to age-based COVID-19 distribution apparently left essential workers uncovered in the initial phase of deployment in California.
California’s new plan, announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday, aims to simplify the state’s complicated vaccine distribution process so far – and ensure that various counties in the state adhere to a deployment plan consistent for a limited number of vaccines. .
The state will continue to immunize essential workers who are currently covered under the first level of phases 1a and 1b, such as healthcare workers, teachers, and grocery and food handlers – but the vaccination of other essential workers may be delayed.
This includes workers in transportation, manufacturing and industrial services, among other essential workers.
It can also reduce the likelihood that incarcerated and homeless people will receive the vaccine.
The proposal has been condemned by some unions.
The California International Service Employees Union, which represents healthcare workers, government employees, social workers and janitors, among other groups, has strongly criticized the abandonment of profession-based priorities.
“Millions of Californian workers, mostly people of color, have no choice but to leave their homes and work every day, exposing themselves, their families and their communities to COVID-19 and to its devastation, ”Union President Bob Schnoover said in a statement.
“California called these workers essential when the state wanted their service during the pandemic; if they are taken off the priority list for vaccination, the state now says they are consumable. “
Part of the public health rationale for the change, according to the Sacramento Bee, is that inoculating older populations – who have the highest death rates and severe cases of COVID-19 of any group – could result in a decrease in hospitalizations and an increase in the capacity of intensive care for the general population.
California continues to rank at the bottom of the country in terms of distribution, currently ranking 45th in percentage of doses used, according to Bloomberg’s COVID-19 vaccine tracker.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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