It has been difficult to get enough vaccines to the estimated 21 million healthcare workers and 3 million long-term care residents who are eligible for the first round. These vulnerable people make up priority group 1a, the first group recommended to receive the vaccine based on criteria adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many frontline healthcare workers are also receiving the vaccine at their workplaces. They’ve been on site at select nursing homes and assisted living facilities to vaccinate residents and staff who have suffered a disproportionately high death toll from COVID-19. Pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS have been providing the first phase of vaccines at long-term care facilities. Who is first in line?Ĭonsumers are advised to make sure they’re eligible for the vaccine and to check pharmacy websites often to see if they can get an appointment. The CDC also called for improving ventilation within school buildings. That’s because studies show older students are more likely to get and transmit the virus than younger students. But in areas where virus transmission is high and students aren’t kept with the same group of peers and teachers throughout the day, middle and high school students should maintain six feet of distance. The agency now says three feet of distance between elementary, middle, and high school students is sufficient in the classroom instead of six feet, assuming universal wearing of face masks. On March 19, the CDC updated its recommendations for schools. Another two states -Florida and West Virginia - have age-based requirements for teachers seeking COVID-19 vaccines. “After this long, hard year, that will make this Independence Day something truly special, where we not only mark our independence as a nation, but we begin to mark our independence from this virus,” Biden said.Īs more schools reopen for in-person learning, teachers and school staff are now prioritized for vaccination in every state but Montana, according to EducationWeek. He noted that if enough people get vaccinated, small groups will be able to gather safely to celebrate the July 4 holiday. “I need you to get vaccinated when it’s your turn and when you can find an opportunity, and to help your family and friends and neighbors get vaccinated as well,” Biden said on March 11. President Biden said that “conditions can change” and variants “may make things worse again,” but he set a goal of July 4 for returning to semi-normal. Some manufacturers are working on vaccine booster shots to combat the new strains of the virus. California’s theme parks and attractions are reopening at limited capacity.Īt the same time, scientists are warning about COVID-19 variants that are more easily spread from person to person and threaten to undo recent gains against the virus. Here are some tips and tricks for nabbing a chance at a shot.Ĭautious optimism has more governors easing restrictions and some lifting mask mandates meant to curb the virus. In many places, people in high-priority groups -such as older adults -struggle to find open vaccine appointments. Public health officials urge people to continue to wear face masks and practice social distancing as the population works toward herd immunity. More than 13% of all Americans are fully vaccinated, including 42% of people 65 and older.
Vaccination rates are accelerating after a slow, frustrating rollout and recent winter storms delayed vaccine shipments around the country. But they’re leveling off in some areas and rising in others, causing concern about a possible resurgence of hotspots similar to what Europe has been experiencing. Case rates are still high at about 60,000 new cases a day. Deaths from COVID-19 have surpassed 539,000. When will we get back to normal or near-normal? States such as Michigan, Utah, and Ohio said they will welcome all adult residents at retail pharmacies and other vaccination sites starting on various dates in March and April. Some states have announced they will be ready before then. On March 11, President Joe Biden called for states to make all adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccination starting May 1. More states are loosening eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine as vaccine supplies increase and a new deadline approaches for all adults to become eligible.
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