State leaders prepare for a COVID-19 vaccine as federal health officials recommend plan

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Federal health officials want to make sure states are prepared for the day a COVID-19 vaccine is ready.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent a 50-page COVID-19 vaccination program interim playbook guide to state leaders on Wednesday. 

During Governor Mike Parson’s Wednesday COVID-19 briefing he said Missouri was already planning for this, as a team has already been working to finalize that plan to be sure they are prepared when a vaccine does become available. 

“We're very hopeful that we will have that in limited doses in November,” said Dr. Randall Williams, the state health department’s director. “And so we are working very hard and a whole government approach to do that implementation.”

The CDC wants states to take a three-phase tiered approach when it comes to vaccines. 

Phase one focuses on the potential of a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses that are available. 

According to the plan, it should be first given to critical populations like healthcare workers, people at risk for severe COVID-19 illness and those who don’t have regular access to routine vaccines services. 

Phase two focuses on making sure a larger number of vaccine doses are available. 

When planning for phase two the CDC recommends states prepare to expand vaccinations to the general public and places like pharmacies, doctor’s offices and public health sites. 

Phase three plans for a surplus of doses, making sure the vaccine reaches across the entire population. 

The guide states that the goal of the U.S. government is to have enough COVID-19 vaccines for all people in the United States who wish to be vaccinated.

Missouri's plan is expected to be ready as soon as October 1st.