People 65+ are 1,000 times more likely to die from COVID than those <40. So why target the most vulnerable last with the vaccine?
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has published a tentative timeline of when Idahoans can expect to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
They plan to rollout the vaccine in phases over the next five months.
Vaccinations of healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents began on December 17th and will continue through January.
Based upon vaccine supply, beginning in February, essential workers and older adults 75 years of age and older will be offered the vaccine. Essential workers designated in this group are:
- First Responders
- School Staff including childcare workers
- Correctional and detention facility staff
- Food processing workers
- Grocery and convenience store workers
- Idaho National Guard
- Other essential workers unable to telework or distance from others at work.
In April, older adults 65 years of age or older, people age 16 – 64 years of age with medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19 and essential workers not included in previous phase will receive their vaccination.
It is estimated that the COVID-19 vaccine will not be offered to the general public until May of 2021.
Children under the age of 16 are not included in the vaccine rollout, as the FDA has not yet approved its use for individuals who fall into this category. More clinical trials involving children under 16 are still needed.
The potential side effects from the vaccine are similar to those experienced by people who receive the flu shot: soreness at the injection site, fever, headaches, and body aches that usually go away within 24 hours.