U.S. CDC Votes to Expand Priority Vaccination Groups

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine advisory committee voted to recommend the next priority groups to revive COVID-19 vaccinations; 1b and 1c. These groups include seniors over 75 years of age, essential workers, and people with underlying health conditions. Previously, healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities were classified in group 1a.

Group 1c includes seniors ages 65 to 74 years old, people ages 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions, and other essential workers such as those working in transportation, food service, finance, and communications positions.

Sara Oliver, M.D, MSPH, led the five-hour meeting on December 20, 2020, which voted 13 yes votes and 1 no vote. The CDC typically accepts the recommendations of its Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices.