Among the most important policy decisions that need to be made in the coming weeks is how to prioritize the allocation of the early doses of vaccine. With the clinical trials showing promising results and manufacturers of several vaccines already in production (even though they are still only in Phase III Trials), it’s time to start planning how to distribute the likely vaccine(s).
Immunizing the U.S. population to prevent COVID will probably be the largest vaccination campaign ever undertaken. A successful and equitable vaccination plan will require participation by county health departments, community health centers, healthcare providers of all kinds, emergency managers and private & nonprofit sector partners.
How should the early doses of vaccine be allocated? Fortunately the National Academies of Medicine assembled an all-star group of professionals to come up with a proposed prioritization plan that considers evidence, ethics and health disparities. It’s called the Committee on Equitable Allocation of Vaccine for the Novel Coronavirus.
They released their final report this week, entitled Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine. In addition to sharing an updated framework for equitable allocation of a COVID-19 vaccine, the final report includes community engagement strategies, risk communication approaches, methods to promote vaccine acceptance, and global considerations.
National Academy Plan for the equitable allocation of vaccine report was commissioned by the NIH and CDC. It’s a long document, but here’s a snapshot of the recommendations Phase 1 populations include:
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1a: Front-line healthcare workers (including care home workers, hospitals, home health)
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1a: Emergency services workers
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1b: Older adults in crowded settings
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1b: Persons of all ages w/co-morbid conditions & significantly increased risk
Chapter 3, Page 20 gives an overview of priority populations in all 4 Phases along with a detailed rational for the various selections.
This is a well thought-through document that is objective and non-partisan. Hopefully the federal, state and county governments will loom to this landmark report as they develop the SARS CoV2 vaccination plans.