Older People Who Want an Early COVID-19 Vaccine Might Not Get One as Quickly as They'd Like

According to CNBC News , older Americans eager to get vaccinated against COVID-19 early may have to wait longer than they want to, with experts like the Kaiser Family Foundation's Juliette Cubanski saying dose availability will be initially limited. "I think there are still major issues to resolve with vaccine distribution, which is being primarily left up to states to work out," she explained. "That includes which populations will be prioritized when it comes to getting the initial doses once they are authorized or approved." Overall, each state's preliminary plans for who they will vaccinate first target the same broad demographics for Phase 1 of distribution — healthcare workers, essential workers, and those at high risk. Confidence is high that at least one vaccine, if not two, may be available in limited volumes as early as December. Public health officials have said the vaccine will follow a phased distribution, with states formulating plans based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Kaiser recommends that the first phase should target healthcare workers and first responders, and the second ought to concentrate on individuals with underlying health conditions that create significant risk for serious illness, in addition to older adults living in congregate or crowded environments.