States submit COVID-19 vaccine plans to the CDC

After the October 16 deadline, states have submitted their plans for distributing the coronavirus vaccine per the CDC’s request.

States that have received considerable coverage for their coronavirus cases or ways of handling the pandemic, such as Texas, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Maryland and California, have rolled out distribution plans that vary in detail.

Texas

The state released its distribution plan on October 19. It includes a public-private partnership for distribution that is similar to the one used for the swine flu in 2009, according to the Dallas Morning News.

First responders, health care workers and those with chronic health conditions will be given priority access to the vaccine.

Wisconsin

Drive-thru immunization is a significant part of Wisconsin’s distribution plan, reports Wisconsin Public Radio. Select health departments in the state will do “practice runs” with the flu vaccine.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts stated that it expects to receive between 20,000 and 60,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine in the first of two phases of distribution, according to WBUR.

People such as first responders, essential workers and high-risk individuals will be vaccinated during phase one, while phase two will see the vaccine become more widely available.

Maryland

In a plan similar to Massachusetts’, Maryland will distribute the vaccine in two need-based phases. The state’s plan also highlighted nursing home staff and residents as people who will be in the first group of vaccinated people.

California

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on October 19 that California will review the safety of coronavirus vaccines before distributing them, according to the Los Angeles Times.

A group of scientists and doctors, along with the California Department of Public Health, will perform an independent review of the vaccines that receive FDA approval.