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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend a distribution plan that would prioritize immunization of healthcare workers and residents of nursing homes.
RELATED: UCSF Doctor Explains Impact of CA Receiving 327,000 Doses of Pfizer Vaccine
Mike Wasserman, who sits on the California Vaccine Advisory Board, is happy with the move.
“Healthcare workers are and should be at the top of the list,” he said. “Including healthcare workers who work in nursing homes, where the most deaths are from this virus,” he said.
The detailed plan to distribute 40 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to immunize 15 to 20 million Americans by the end of the year, awaits CDC approval.
The first deployment involving 6.4 million doses could be shipped to retail pharmacies in a matter of weeks if the FDA approves the EUA for Pfizer and Moderna.
RELATED: CDC Says Some May Have Flu Side Effects From COVID-19 Vaccine
Here’s what’s included on the priority list, also known as “Phase 1A”.
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities (including skilled nursing and assisted living facilities)
- Ambulatory clinics
- Home care
- Pharmacies
- Emergency medical services
- Public health offices
ACIP Committee Chairman Dr Jose Romero clarified during the meeting that this group would not benefit from any preferential order.
VIDEO: First person in US to try COVID-19 vaccine talks about side effects
Committee members cited at least 243,000 cases of COVID-19 infecting healthcare workers since the start of the pandemic. That figure is even worse for long-term care facilities with 730,000 cases of the coronavirus infecting both residents and staff at the end of last week.
That is why the California advisory committee is pushing for both groups to receive doses at the same time. But, Wasserman fears there is some hesitation.
“The numbers are incredibly worrying,” he said. “Twenty percent, in some cases, of frontline nursing home staff say they will take the vaccine… That means 60 to 80% will refuse. Or will not be comfortable taking the vaccine.
VIDEO: Some health workers are ‘skeptical’ about COVID-19 vaccine
“It is inevitable for me to be in close contact with people with COVID. So the potential to receive the vaccine makes me feel comfortable,” said Lily Muldoon, a doctor in the San Francisco emergency room.
She treats coronavirus patients at CPMC, San Francisco General Hospital, and a respiratory field tent in Bayview.
“It’s scary every day; I haven’t gotten used to it.”
Dr Muldoon says she knows about 20 Bay Area health workers who have been infected with COVID-19. Despite this, she said, “I was actually surprised how many of my colleagues are skeptical about this and would like to wait and see if this vaccine is working and make sure there is no side effects before being vaccinated. “
RELATED: CA To Receive 327,000 Doses Of Vaccine In December, Newsom Announces
The amount of vaccine each state will receive is based on a per capita calculation.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that California expects to receive 327,000 doses of Pfizer by mid-December. This is enough to vaccinate just over 163,000 people.
After healthcare workers – who’s next on the list?
According to ACIP’s recommendation, the second phase would include essential workers such as police, firefighters, correctional officers and transport personnel.
The third phase would include adults with high risk health conditions and adults aged 65 and over.
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