State and federal officials wrestle over vaccine rollout, delays – By Nathaniel Weixel (The Hill) / January 8 2021
Tension is mounting between state, local and federal officials over the strict priority groups states are enforcing for COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Trump administration is encouraging states to be flexible, and wants governors to allow vaccination of lower-priority groups.
But with a limited number of doses on hand, governors want to make sure only those most at risk get their shots first, and quickly.
Under guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the first doses are recommended for health workers and residents of long-term care facilities.
The next phase, known as “1b,” includes people 75 and older and frontline essential workers like first responders, corrections officers and utility and transportation workers. Phase “1c” includes people 65 to 74, as well as people with high-risk medical conditions.
