The facts are stark – age, according to the CDC, is the most determinant factor in death from Covid-19. So why is California ignoring much of this population in its distribution plan of Covid-19 vaccines?
Dr Erica Pan, Acting State Health Officer, leads the vaccine distribution efforts for the State of California. To date the state has announced the first 2 phases of vaccine distribution. The state has prioritized vaccinations of nursing home residents but as yet has failed to address the balance and majority of the state’s elderly who are NOT in nursing homes.
According to the Public Policy Institute, 8.3% of California seniors DO NOT reside in nursing homes. Governor Gavin Newsom’s California Department of Public Health headed by Dr Pan has rightly designated the nursing home residents for early vaccination but has failed to address the other 98.3% of the states elderly. The states Elderly account for roughly 80% of the Covid-19 deaths in California and non-nursing home residents account for half of that 80%. So why has this group been ignored?
Strangely, the presentation for the last meeting Dr Pan chaired on vaccination prioritization failed to even mention elderly not in nursing homes. Failure of her Community Vaccine Advisory Committee to even address this population is startling.
Dr Pan has assembled a Drafting Guidelines Workgroup to assist in vaccine prioritization. It remains to be seen whether Co-Chairperson Dr Oliver Brooks and Co-Chairperson Dr Robert Schechter will address this shortcoming.
The next meeting of Dr Pan’s committee is Monday December 21, 2020 from 3:00 – 6:00pm.
