City of Philadelphia Announces Schedule Of Priority Populations For COVID-19 Vaccine

Philadelphia PA

12 January, 2021

4:05 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Philadelphia : Hans Kellner Board of Health, Department of Public Health |January 12, 2021 It's the biggest question out there right now: When will I be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine? The long-awaited vaccine is already being distributed in Philadelphia to frontline healthcare workers. These individuals have direct contact with patients, clinical specimens, or interact in the environment of patients. This places them at high risk for exposure and transmission to our most vulnerable populations. Over the next several months, all Philadelphians will begin to have access to vaccination based on a phased schedule of priority populations. The schedule was determined by the City's COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee (VAC), and has been informed by continuing discussions of the City's Coronavirus Interim Racial Equity Plan. The tables below illustrate the City's priority populations for vaccine distribution. Definitions of the populations are linked in the footnotes. Phase 1a High Risk for Exposure and Transmission to Vulnerable Populations (Patient-Facing Healthcare Workers 1) High Risk of Morbidity/Mortality Hospital staff Long-term care facility residents COVID testing site COVID vaccination & lab staff Long-term care facility staff Emergency medical services Home health care Prison health services Outpatient clinics, FQHCs Unaffiliated healthcare providers Phase 1b High Risk for Exposure and Perform Essential Duties High Risk of Morbidity/Mortality First responders 2 Persons working in congregate residential settings 8 Service providers working with high-risk populations 3 Persons residing in congregate settings 8 Public transit Persons age 75+ Food distribution, prep, or service 4 Persons with high-risk medical conditions 9 Childcare, Education providers 5 High volume essential retail 6 Manufacturing critical goods 7 Phase 1c Other Essential Workers but with Lower Risk of Exposure High Risk of Morbidity/Mortality Sanitation workers Persons age 65 – 74 years Maintenance/janitorial workers Utility workers 10 Postal and package delivery workers Higher education 11 Finance 12 Transportation 13 Construction IT & Telecommunications Public health Legal 14 Phase 2 Everyone > 16 years of age not previously immunized Find out more about the City's COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccine This press release was produced by the City of Philadelphia.The views expressed here are the author's own.