Workers in healthcare facilities have struggled for months to handle the rising tide of COVID-19 patients, often putting themselves at great risk in the process. The light at the end of the tunnel for these workers – as well as for the general public – has been a vaccine that will protect them from the spread of the coronavirus. With the news that vaccines are likely to be available soon, the questions become who will be first in line, and when will vaccinations start?

Health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities will be the first groups to be offered the Covid-19 vaccine, according to a new proposal from an independent advisory committee within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met virtually to discuss who would receive the first doses of the vaccine and to vote on the proposed language for åthe recommendation, according to NBC News. 

The two groups in Phase 1a together represent around 24 million Americans — 21 million health care workers and 3 million residents of long-term care facilities. Staff working at long-term care facilities are considered among the health care workers.

During the discussion period, panel members asked about how the vaccine doses would be prioritized within the groups in Phase 1a. For example, health care workers with direct patient contact would be among the first to be offered the vaccine, as well as individuals working in long-term care facilities.

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