Chicago – There is some debate about who should be among the 50 million Americans in line for the next wave of coronavirus vaccines. States are starting to make their own priority lists, while unions say their members should come first.
It’s been almost two weeks since more than 600,000 vaccines were given, including the nation’s greatest infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, who received the vaccine Tuesday.
Centers for disease control and prevention recommend the next group should be the 75-year-olds and the essential front-line workers – but that’s 49 million people. To date, just under 5 million doses have been administered.
Sylvia Tanguma, who leads the teachers’ union in McAllen, Texas, said she feels in competition with other key vaccine workers. Tanguma eats in the car so as not to take off his mask at school.
On Monday, Texas announced that the next group to be vaccinated will be those 65 years of age or older or at high risk – not teachers as a whole.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott “needs to consider how many teachers we have and how much we need,” Tanguma said.
After studying growth in New York, the CDC found that correction officers were the most exposed, which is why Anthony McGee of Chicago believes he should have priority.
“He has to give up medicine,” said McGee, who is vice president of Teamsters Local 700. “He has to distribute food. There is no way our members will not have direct contact with detainees. ”
Dr. Aileen Marty, a specialist in infectious diseases, says the order of vaccinations must be both ethical and strategic.
“Vaccinate the right group of people, you’ll flatten the curve faster,” Marty said.
But the CDC says those in line will also wait at least a month.