Some states buck federal vaccine recommendations and prioritize older adults over essential workers

Some states, including Florida and Texas, are resisting federal COVID-19 vaccination recommendations and giving priority to older adults over front-line workers. Federal recommendations for the second tier of vaccination give priority to grocery store workers, transit employees, and other front-line workers, as well as individuals aged 75 years and older. However, Florida and Texas are offering the vaccine to a wider segment of their older populations ahead of front-line employees. “We are not going to put young, healthy workers ahead of our elderly, vulnerable population,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida last week. Imelda Garcia, a top infectious-diseases official in Texas, also said that focusing on individuals aged 65 years and older and people with chronic conditions “will protect the most vulnerable populations.” White House officials note that governors are in charge of setting COVID-19 vaccination priorities for their states, while members of President-elect Joe Biden’s coronavirus advisory board have suggested the federal government should play a more active role in aspects of the massive immunization effort.