(Reuters) – The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that the vaccination phases of priority groups against COVID-19 may overlap, clarifying guidance that many states are already applying as a way to get as many Americans as possible.
The CDC said health workers and nursing home residents should have priority for vaccines, and should be followed by people over the age of 75 and key workers. On Friday, the CDC changed its website to emphasize that these phases could overlap, in essence, what several states are already doing.
Each state has its own vaccine distribution plan, with little surveillance and involvement from the federal government. This week, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said the CDC’s priority recommendations are just that and should not prevent Americans from gaining fire.
Although the federal government distributed more than 21 million doses, only about 6 million were administered.
A CDC spokesman said the information was previously available on a section of its website, which highlights priority recommendations from its external advisory commission.
Reporting by Rebecca Spalding; Edited by Kevin Liffey