LEXINGTON, Ky (WKYT) – As of Monday, the state of Kentucky had vaccinated about 12.5% of the state’s population. Coming next Monday, more than a million extra people will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
On March 1, local vaccines in Kentucky will move to Phase 1C. The group includes those over 60, and all 16 or older with high-risk health conditions. It also adds dozens of jobs to the list of essential workers, including postal workers, food and agricultural workers, grocery stores, IT and communications, the media and clergy.
In total, the state lists 19 occupations that are considered essential. Changes have recently been made about who is preferred.
“Child care providers have been added to 1B, especially with schools returning across Kentucky, you will see more and more need for child care, so this is a group being cared for,” Kevin Hall told the Lexington-Fayette County Department of Health . said.
Some people in group 1C have already been vaccinated.
People in Phase 1C can be vaccinated for weeks, as long as older Kentucks prefer. If there was an open appointment, they could vaccinate someone in 1C so the state could use its available vaccine quickly.
The state says the group includes 1.3 million people. So anyone over the age of 70 who has not yet been vaccinated can make an appointment soon.
‘If it opens on March 1 to 1, it’s going to be a lot harder for people 70 and older to get a chance. 1C in Lexington is about a third of the population, ‘Hall said.
It is important to note that only the local vaccination sites operated by the state will go to phase 1C for sure. For everywhere else it will just depend on where they are in their vaccination schedule.
Governor Beshear encouraged all vaccine sites to continue prioritizing individuals in Phase 1A and 1B, even if 1C appointments are made.
The Fayette County Department of Health has told us that for the time being, they will continue to focus on the 70-year-olds.
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