CDC recommends manufacturing and grocery workers be next in line for COVID-19 vaccine as essential frontline workers

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC has made new recommendations on who should be next in line for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The ACIP approved the following recommendations by majority vote (13-1) at its December 20th emergency meeting.

As an update to ACIP recommendations for vaccination in Phase 1a (health care personnel, and long-term care facility residents), if COVID-19 vaccine supply is limited, the following groups should be offered vaccination:

Phase 1b: persons aged ≥75 years and frontline essential workers

Phase 1c: persons aged 65–74 years, persons aged 16–64 years with high-risk medical conditions, and other essential workers

As part of the recommendation, the following essential workers are considered frontline: fire fighters, police officers, corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, those who work in the education sector (teachers, and support staff), as well as daycare workers.

The CDC director approved the recommendations.

The ACIP develops recommendations on how to use vaccines to control disease in the United States.