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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Kansas counties are allowed to begin Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccinations, the governor’s office confirms.
Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr Lee Norman will provide further details at a press conference Thursday afternoon. Riley County has already announced that it will begin limited vaccinations on Thursday for people over 65 who have contacted their health department.
“After moving quickly to immunize nearly 130,000 Kansas frontline healthcare workers and seniors, my administration worked with local health departments and vendors to prepare to move Kansas into Phase 2. Governor Laura Kelly said. “While it is important to remember that the vaccination rate will depend on how much we receive from the federal government, we are using all the tools available to make vaccine administration transparent, efficient and timely to reach as many Kansans. as possible.”
According to the governor’s office, each county health department will monitor the details of the progress of the next phase. The state has issued guidelines that phase 2 should include all people aged 65 and over; people living and working in collective premises, including prisons and homeless shelters; and some critical workers, such as law enforcement officers, first responders, teachers, and grocery store workers. However, given limited vaccine supplies, counties may choose to focus only on certain parts of eligible people, such as the elderly, first before expanding to other segments.
The state unveiled a new COVID-19 vaccination dashboard on Wednesday. It includes information on the number of doses administered and dispensed and a breakdown by age group. The governor’s office says it plans to launch an online “supplier finder” so people can find places near them that administer the vaccine. Kansas is part of the federal government’s Pharmaceutical Partnership for the Administration of Vaccines in Long-Term Care Facilities. The governor’s office said the federal government is planning a similar partnership with retail pharmacies for community distribution. They say the state has submitted its list of pharmacies that can participate, but is still awaiting federal approval.
Governor Kelly also announced the appointment of Marci Nielsen, Ph.D., MPH as Chief Advisor for COVID-19 Coordination and Seth Konkel as Special Advisor for COVID-19 Vaccination.
“With significant experience in public health and operations between them, Marci and Seth will be invaluable sources of support for my team and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment team as the offering of vaccines are increasing, ”Governor Kelly said. “I am delighted to have them on board.”
Governor Kelly said the guidelines for Phase 2 are as follows:
- People aged 65 and over
- High-contact critical workers needed to maintain systems, assets, and activities vital to state security, the economy, or public health, or who interact with a large number of contacts and related COVID-19 exposure to work. The risk of COVID-19 is associated with the likelihood of becoming infected or spreading the virus. Factors that increase risk include proximity, type of contact, duration of contact, and difficulties in implementing protective measures. This includes:
- Firefighters, police, first responders and correctional officers
- Grocery and food service employees
- Kindergarten to Grade 12 and child care staff including teachers, babysitters, drivers and other staff
- Food processing, including meat processing plants
- Large scale aircraft manufacturing plants
- Transport workers
- Workers in Retail, Agriculture, Provision of Services or Materials Critical to COVID-19 Response, U.S. Postal Service, and Department of Motor Vehicles
- Those who live or work in licensed assembly places and other special care or assembly settings where social distancing is not possible, include:
- Homeless shelters
- Collective nurseries
- Emergency shelters or refuges
- Correctional facilities
- Behavioral health institutions
To see a visual representation of the Kansas vaccine distribution order, click here.
For more information on vaccine distribution, click here.
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