Right now, there’s a a lot of talk about who will get the vaccine first. Health care workers, essential workers, poor people, older adults? Every state will likely roll out the vaccine differently. Here’s what you should consider:
The first batch of vaccines that will be shipped out in the next several days will be small. The CDC is recommending that these vaccines go to health care workers and the frailest older adults at highest risk, living in nursing homes and other care facilities. Most states are expected to comply with that recommendation.
After that, it’s possible that the next batch of vaccines will be large. If it is, states might not need to prioritize among health care workers, essential workers, poor people and older adults. There will be enough for everyone.
Let’s hope that’s the case and plan for it. By some accounts, 70 percent of the population are essential workers. Not all of them are in contact with lots of people. But, 42 percent of Americans are essential workers who are on the front lines every day. So, it likely wouldn’t be possible to provide vaccines to all of them at once.
If you or someone you love is over 65, consider making an appointment with your primary care doctor now for a vaccine in January. Worst case scenario, it is not yet available to you and you move the appointment back a couple of weeks. Best case scenario, you are set.
Otherwise, it could be the case that the vaccine is available but that you can’t get an appointment for it. You don’t want to face that situation if you can avoid it.
Keep in mind that the CDC will recommend who gets vaccine priority. But, governors in each state, along with state health officials, will have the ultimate say as to who gets vaccinated first in their states.
Remember that you will need two doses of the vaccine to be protected!
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