Grayson Green, an Arkansascovid.com reporter, fielded a question last week during a Q&A session on our Instagram page. A reader asked when COVID-19 vaccines will be available to people with underlying medical conditions who are severe risk for hospitalizations or death if they contracted the virus?
Gavin Lesnick, Arkansas Department of Health public information director, said this group will be in line for a vaccine but they will follow the order as generally recommended by the Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
People age 70 and older have a priority for the vaccine due to their severe health risks during the pandemic. Lesnick said the ADH is working with a limited supply of the vaccine and demand outstrips supply at this time. As a result, the vaccines are being distributed to the first group, 1A, of medical workers and first responders and 1B, school teachers and essential workers. Details of the Arkansas distribution plan are here. For the latest information on the vaccine rollout, check the Arkansascovid.com Vaccine Information Center page.
