Covid-19 Vaccination Program

The federal vaccination program is currently being rolled out.  It is recommended that everyone get a vaccination when they are eligible to do so to prevent further infection and death.  The US Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) created guidelines for providing vaccines through a system of priorities.  The priorities were created in order to vaccinate those most at risk of contracting and transmitting the Covid-19 virus.  Top priority (called phase 1a) went to Healthcare personnel and residents of Long-Term Care Facilities.
The CDC defines healthcare personnel as “all paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials.” Access to the vaccine is not limited by job title, rather by proximity to the disease.  So, for example, custodial staff have equal access to the vaccine as doctors and nurses. 

Long-Term Care Facility residents are “adults who reside in facilities that provide a range of services, including medical and personal care, to persons who are unable to live independently.” 
Once Phase 1a has begun, Phases 1b and 1c can also begin.  Below are the CDC guidelines for Phases 1b and 1c.  Every state, however, will develop their own definitions, for which people can be vaccinated in Phases 1b and 1c and when these phases will begin. 

In New York State and California, Phase 1b began on Monday, January 10, 2021.  It’s also important to note that in New York, Phase 1a includes employees of Long-Term Care Facilities as well as residents.  People seeking vaccination need to request an appointment.  Phase 1b will include teachers and education workers, first responders, public safety workers, public transit workers and people 75 and older.  In NYS phase 1b includes people 65 and older.  For more information about NYS eligibility:  https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
 For NYC information
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccine-locations.page
For California, click here:  https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/
For Florida, click here:  https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Florida-Vaccine-Sites-Table_01112021-update2.pdf
For New Jersey, click here:  https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine
For Texas, click here:  https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx
 Please contact your local health department for more information on COVID-19 vaccination in your area.