The Delaware Division of Public Health opted to lower the age of those who would receive coronavirus vaccine in Phase 1b.
Residents over age 65 and frontline essential workers would move into the Phase 1b category. Vaccinations of the 1b group are expected to begin at the end of January. Delaware had earlier indicated that it would lower the age.
The state has more than 100,000 residents over the age of 65. Vaccine is estimated to begin to be available for some individuals in Phase 1b groups in mid- to late January. Due to limited supplies, vaccines may not be available to everyone in the initial phase of 1b.
The CDC recommended that those over 75 receive the vaccine in 1b. However, Delaware adjusted the figure to 65, citing death rates. The CDC had encouraged states to adjust vaccine policies to reflect local conditions.
Currently, the state is in Phase 1a of vaccine rollout which includes vaccinations for health care personnel with direct contact with ill patients or infectious material, emergency medical services agencies, and long-term care staff and residents.
Vaccination for Phase 1b groups is expected to begin by the end of January.
In early December, DPH announced it would make the vaccine available in several phases. Factors for each phase would include determining who is at greatest risk for death and illness from the virus, ensuring equitable distribution of the vaccine, and maintaining the functioning of critical health care systems.
How many doses of the vaccine each group would be able to get is dependent upon vaccine supply.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted on Dec. 20, 2020, that Phase 1b should include frontline essential workers and persons 75 years and older.
ACIP defines frontline essential workers as: First Responders (firefighters, police), education (teachers, support staff, child care staff), Food and Agriculture, Manufacturing, corrections workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, public transit workers, and grocery store workers.
As is currently the case with frontline health care workers, leaders in these industries will be asked to identify who among staff should receive the vaccine before others based on factors such as frequent close contact with the public, and inability to social distance consistently at work.
The division is working with several of these groups to assist them in their planning to secure vaccination partners.
Frontline essential workforce leaders in these categories who have not heard from DPH are encouraged to visit the Agencies, Organizations, and Businesses section of de.gov/covidvaccine and complete the Planning Survey for Organizations with Essential Workforces.
On Dec. 22, the State Ethics Advisory Group voted to recommend adopting the ACIP Phase 1b approach. However, the Division of Public Health decided to lower the age the state would consider eligible in Phase 1b from 75 to 65 based on statewide Covid-related deaths. While the median age for deaths among White and Asian persons is 82 and 83 respectively, the median age for deaths among Blacks is 74 and 66 for Hispanic individuals.
“Making this small change from the ACIP recommendations is the right thing to do for all people in our state,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Doing so provides us the opportunity to vaccinate and protect many more Delawareans, especially those who are already disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 to begin with due to a variety of factors.”
The State Ethics Advisory Group did not address any other groups, but it is expected to vote on a Phase 1c group soon.
Public health officials will provide updates on timing as they become available.
Individuals 65-plus will be asked to contact their health care provider directly near the end of January to discuss their options for receiving the vaccine.
The next phases after 1b could see vaccine availability in mid- to late February, and it likely will be April before there is more widespread availability based on current supply.
However, timelines are flexible as more supply could be available if additional vaccines are approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a DPH release stated.DPH has set up a Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing should call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211. DPH’s Vaccine Call Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday. Individuals can email their questions concerning the vaccine to Vaccine@Delaware.gov. Individuals can also visit de.gov/covidvaccine for up-to-date information.
