A federal advisory panel recommended today the first doses of a coronavirus vaccine should be given to an estimated 21 million health-care workers and three million residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. One of the panel members is Kevin Ault, MD, an OBGYN at The University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Ault appeared with Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer of the health system, shortly after the vote to brief the news media on the panel’s decision. Dr. Ault and the 14-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have been working together on planning a vaccine distribution since July. He said the initial groups were deemed the highest priority by the committee because the vaccine will be in extremely short supply after it is cleared by federal regulators. Healthcare personnel are a top priority because of their exposure to the virus and their critical role keeping the nation’s hospitals and clinics functioning. He explained residents and employees of long-term care facilities were prioritized because they account for nearly 40 percent of deaths from COVID-19.
Dr. Ault said because of the limited doses, the panel’s work group suggested that health-care systems prioritize their personnel even further. They might do that by staggering vaccinations by individual units, such as emergency departments; giving vaccine first to those with direct patient contact and those who handle infectious material, and to personnel who provide services to patients or their families. He said the definition of a healthcare worker is very broad and includes anyone who cares for a patient. He also stressed the committee spent a lot of time discussing the safety of the vaccines, making sure not to make a rushed decision. He added the vaccines could begin arriving at hospitals and other distribution points within a week of the committee’s votes.
Dr. Ault said the advisory group will make recommendations at later meetings for priority groups in the next phases, which include essential workers and older adults. He also said there will be more votes in the coming days as more vaccines are given emergency use authorization by the FDA.
