PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania officials have announced that the state is expanding its 1a COVID-19 vaccine group.
In addition to health care workers and residents and staff of skilled nursing facilities, Pennsylvania’s Phase 1a now also includes anyone over the age of 65, and those between the ages of 16 and 64 who have significant health issues.
Cindy Findley, head of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 vaccine task force, admits it will be a challenge to expand the eligibility since they have not expected a big jump in their vaccine allotment.
“However, we are recognizing that we want the list of 65 and older and those 16 to 64 to vaccinate our most vulnerable in Pennsylvania as quickly as we can,” Findley said.
The significant health issues include cancer, chronic kidney disease and COPD. Smoking can also make residents eligible for the vaccine.
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Asked if there is any concern those people are leapfrogging those in potentially exposed professions, such as police officers or teachers, Findley said the state’s vaccine plans “are designed to abide by and follow the (federal) recommendations and we are following the recommendations for 65 and older.”
She said the change means more than 3.5 million Pennsylvanians are eligible in the adjusted Phase 1a.
How quickly they move through the current phase depends on how much vaccine they get, but she expects that will take “several weeks."
Findley said there is a quiz to determine eligibility along with a map of available vaccines on PA.gov.