By Jacob Nakamura
A draft plan for the use of the COVID-19 vaccine on Guam has been published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control on its website. The plan calls for a committee that will decide which health workers and other critical workers will receive the vaccine first. The availability of the vaccine to those with co-morbidities, then the the general public, will follow once more vaccines are given to Guam, according to the plan.
Phase 1: Health & critical workers
"During phase 1, DPHSS will establish a Vaccine and Antiviral Prioritization Policy Committee (VAPPC) in determining critical populations on advisement and recommendations from the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)," according to the Guam Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. "The VAPPC will define how a priority group can apply on a local level and will identify critical workforce and high-risk populations as defined by CDC. Prioritization, extension, or other modification of these recommendations for the benefit of the people of Guam will be addressed by the VAPPC, who in turn will forward recommendations to the Director of [the Department of Public Health and Social Services]."
Phase 2: Sick people
The vaccination of health and other critical workers comprises Phase 1 of the plan. Phase 2, which depends on a larger number of vaccines being made available to Guam, will vaccinate "persons at increased risk for severe illness; persons at increased risk of acquiring or transmitting COVID-19; and persons with limited access to vaccinations. This phase will involve the deployment of mass vaccination clinics (MVCs) and the procurement of community vaccinator services."
Phase 3: General population
"Phase 3 is considered the catch-up phase: open to the general public. The Immunization Program will continue to work with providers, contract vaccinators, partners, commercial and private entities, and organizations to widely extend and expand immunizations to all populations."
View the plan's executive summary in full below:
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