As the state starts receiving coronavirus vaccines this week to inoculate healthcare workers and those in eldercare, many are wondering who will be first in line for the next wave of vaccinations.
According to 9 th District Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R), the federal government is leaving it up to the states to determine priorities for the second wave of doses. But states will still be receiving suggestions via the CDC.
“We're leaving it up to the states to decide how exactly they do it in consultation with our great biological scientists at the CDC and in state public health,” Hollingsworth said during last week’s “2020 Federal Focus” event hosted by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “I think you'll see the answer to that in the next couple weeks, released by the governor and others.”
Last week, 3 rd District Rep. Jim Banks (R) said teachers should be in the second wave of vaccinations, after health workers but ahead of the general public.
“How do you define teachers? And should we focus on just older teachers or younger teachers as well? All of these very good questions," Hollingsworth said. "They will be rolled out by the state over the next couple of weeks and the specifics and how they're going to do it."
Hollingsworth said he expects vaccines to be available to the public in March or April.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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