U.S. advisory group lays out detailed recommendations on prioritizing Covid-19 vaccine

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine yesterday issued recommendations for public health agencies to think through which groups ought to be the priority for a Covid-19 vaccine when one becomes available. Consistent with others' thinking on the subject, the report puts health care workers in high-risk settings and other first responders at the front of the line. While many have argued for priority access for people of color, the NASEM report instead focuses on the factors that have led to minority groups being among the most affected by Covid-19. Those with underlying or comorbid conditions that are high-risk — regardless of age and ethnicity — are next on the list as are those who live in overcrowded settings. A virtual public meeting on these recommendations is being held this afternoon, while the committee's final report will be ready later this month.