In the Pennsylvania Interim Vaccine Plan Version Four that was released on Friday transportation and logistics employees were listed in phase 1C.
Phase 1 vaccine administration applies when initial doses of vaccine first become available and are in limited supply (very limited supply initially) compared to demand. With this occurring, DOH, following CDC and ACIP recommendations, has divided Phase 1 into Phase 1A, 1B and 1C. The focus is on the target populations advised by the CDC to include:
- Those most essential in sustaining the ongoing COVID-19 response;
- Those at greatest risk of severe illness and death, and their caregivers;
- Those most essential to maintaining core societal functions;
- Health care personnel likely to be exposed to or treat people with COVID-19; and
- Other essential workers.
Phase 1C: Pennsylvania anticipates further increases in vaccine availability. On December 22, 2020, ACIP recommended to vaccinate in Phase 1C persons aged 65–74 years, persons aged 16–64 years with medical conditions that increase or may increase the risk for severe COVID-19, and essential workers not included in Phase 1B. The populations identified in this section will be eligible for vaccination in Phase 1C unless already eligible and vaccinated under another category in Phase 1A or Phase 1B.
Phase 1C: Essential workers: Essential workers who do not meet criteria to make them eligible in Phase 1A or 1B will be vaccinated in this phase. “Essential workers” refers to the ACIP’s definition that can be found here and is based on the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency’s guidance. This only includes workers who are essential to continue critical infrastructure and maintain the services and functions Americans depend on daily and workers who cannot perform their duties remotely and must work in close proximity to the public.
Sectors recommended by ACIP for vaccination in Phase 1C include*:
o Transportation and logistics
o Water and Wastewater
o Food Service
o Housing Construction
o Finance, including bank tellers
o Information technology
o Communications
o Energy, including Nuclear Reactors
o Legal Services
o Federal, state, county and local government workers, including county election workers, elected officials and members of the judiciary and their staff
o Media
o Public Safety
o Public Health Workers
*CDC indicates an intention to publish additional information on essential workers and DOH will review and incorporate into future versions of the plan.
