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Pennsylvania health officials decided this week to prioritize smokers for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Phase 1a vaccine distribution plan – the state’s current phase – now includes “people aged 16 to 64 with high-risk health conditions,” whose tobacco use is high. listed.
According to the state’s vaccine rollout plan, smokers in Pennsylvania take priority over education workers, first responders, and postal service workers, among other groups.
“Pennsylvania chose to follow the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] recommendations and include smoking among the list of medical conditions that put individuals at greater risk, ”a spokesperson for the health department told local news station WTAE-4 in a statement.
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Indeed, the state’s expansion to include people with underlying illnesses – including smoking – is in line with CDC guidelines for those considered to be at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19. .
Even so, not all residents are thrilled with the move – a woman from Pennsylvania told WTAE-4 she was “astonished” by the news.
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The inclusion of smokers in Phase 1a follows a similar move out of New Jersey, where health officials opened up its distribution of coronavirus vaccine to include residents aged 65 and older and those aged 16 years and older who have at least one chronic illness, what the state has also said includes smoking.
Mississippi has also prioritized smokers in its first phase of coronavirus vaccine distribution.
Alexandria Hein of Fox News contributed to this report.
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