Public Health asking employers to fill out survey on 1B vaccine priority as state sees delivery growth

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Delaware has received more than 24,000 additional doses of the Covid-19 vaccine as the Division of Public Health works to vaccinate nearly 200,000 people in Phase 1B.

The added doses come as the state works on job categories that would come under 1B. Delaware has been receiving a lower-than-expected number of doses, with downward adjustments made from earlier estimates.

Delaware is seeing demand for vaccinations far exceeding d  supply.

The Biden Administration has vowed to step up shipments and give states a better idea of the amount of vaccine expected in the coming weeks. 

Health care workers and some first responders were vaccinated under Phase 1A and are now moving toward their second vaccine dose.

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The Division of Public Health has been focusing on those over 65 in Phase 1B.

The state sent a memo to legislators asking for help on getting surveys to employers. 

“At this point, the state is prioritizing the 65+ individuals in 1B, but we are working to lay the groundwork to prepare to vaccinate workers in essential businesses. We are asking that employers (not employees) that fall under Phase 1B who do not already have a vaccination plan fill out this survey and email VaccinePlanning@delaware.gov with questions, the message stated. 

The message continued, “The survey will both help the department understand the population of businesses looking for vaccination assistance as well as help employers think through how they will vaccinate their employees.”
 

The state has identified firefighters, police, education, food and agriculture, manufacturing, corrections workers, US postal service workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers as essential workers. 

Hospitality industry workers are now in the 1C category. One. question that has arisen involves the status of “gig workers” who provide ride-sharing (Uber/Lyft) and food delivery.

The state education department and the corrections system are handling priorities on their own,  according to DPH. 
 
Employers can request the survey at email VaccinePlanning@Delaware.gov.
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