United
States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday said that the health
care workers and nursing home residents are entitled to the first phase of
COVID-19 vaccinations.

The panel
has massively voted for non-binding recommendations for “Phase 1a” to provide
it to states and other local administration if the Food and Drug Administration
permits emergency approval to the leading vaccines.

“I believe that my vote reflects maximum benefits,
minimum harm, promoting justice and mitigating the health inequalities that
exist, with regard to distribution of this vaccine,” said Jose Romero,
chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Also read: ‘Not looking to vaccinate the entire population’ says Indian health official

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, if approved, have assured to provide 40 million doses. Around 24 million people will be immunised
with the vaccine in December. Every person needs two doses- the second dose of
the Pfizer vaccine after three weeks and Moderna one after four weeks.

CDC’s senior scientist, Nancy Messonnier said, “Mostly all the
states expects to provide vaccines to each of their health care workers within
three weeks.”

Also read: Scientists say mucosal immunity might play ‘significant role’ in COVID-19 transmission 

Health care workers constituted around 40% of the US deaths during the pandemic and 21 million people account for the
health workers, which comprise of pharmacies, hospital workers, emergency
medical facilities, and many more.