Everything you Need to Know About Down Syndrome Priority for COVID Vaccine in Your State

Everything you Need to Know About Down Syndrome Priority for COVID Vaccine in Your State

Hi, this is Mara’s dad. Please leave a comment if you have additional information for any specific state, or with any update or clarification. There is a lot of information and it changes quickly. Any help you can give is appreciated.

The Center for Disease Control lists Down syndrome as a condition that increases risk of severe illness. However, the decision on vaccine priority is up to the individual states who are distributing the vaccines. A state by state breakdown is below:

Alabama

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue. Current priority limited to healthcare workers, first responders, and those 75 and older.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments available for Alabamians 75 years and older, first responders (including law enforcement and firefighters) statewide effective January 18, as healthcare workers and others continue to be vaccinated.

Beginning February 8, people 65 or older and additional groups of critical workers became eligible to get the vaccine.

(Source: AL COVID)

Alaska

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Future priority unknown.

Those who are eligible to get vaccinated right now include:

  • Alaskans age 65 and above
  • Age 50 years and above with a high-risk medical condition
  • Age 50 years and above working as an essential worker within 6 feet of others
  • PreK–12 and child care education staff
  • Healthcare workers
  • People living or working in congregate settings
  • Long-term care residents and staff

Vaccine managed by  the Alaska Tribal Health System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Defense may have different eligibility criteria. 

(Source: Alaska DHSS)

Arizona

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. There will be a priority for Phase 1C, but that comes after almost all groups except the general population.

At this time, select Arizona counties have begun Prioritized Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccine prioritization, which includes education and childcare workers, protective services occupations, and adults 65-75 and older (age criteria varies by county).

(Source: AZ DHS)

Arkansas

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. There will be a priority for Phase 1C, which follows healthcare, LTC residents, frontline workers, teachers and school staff, and age 70+.

Currently in the part 1 of Phase 1-B. Down syndrome will receive priority in Phase 1-C.

  • Persons at increased risk for severe disease
    • Adults of any age with chronic health conditions
    • Adults aged 65 years and older

(Source: Ark Gov)

California

Summary: There may be a current priority for Down syndrome based on a separate letter. Now in Phase 1B. Down syndrome is to be a priority once California reaches Phase 1C.

California may have a separate letter outlining priority for adults with existing conditions that put them at risk. It is similar to the one in Illinois.

COVID-19 vaccines are currently available only for Phase 1A and 1B:

  • Healthcare workers
  • Long-term care residents
  • Individuals 65 and older
  • Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: 
    • Education and childcare
    • Emergency services
    • Food and agriculture

Beginning March 15, healthcare providers may use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals aged 16-64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk  to get very sick from COVID-19 because they have the following severe health conditions:

  • Down syndrome

(Source: COVID.CA.GOV)

Colorado

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Down syndrome likely would be included in Phase 2.

Colorado is currently vaccinating eligible Coloradans for Phase 1A, Phase 1B.1 and Phase 1B.2.

(Source: CO DPHE)

Connecticut

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issues is provided following vaccination of those 65 and older.

Current Phases of COVID-19 Vaccination

Phase 1a

  • Healthcare Personnel
  • Longer Term Care Facility Residents
  • Medical First Responders

Phase 1b

Scheduling now: Individuals 75 and older

Scheduling next: Individuals between the ages of 65 and 74

Scheduling information coming soon (likely March):

  • Frontline essential workers
  • Individuals with an underlying medical condition with increased risk for severe illness

(Source: CT COVID)

Delaware

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issues is provided for in the next stage, which is the remaining Phase 1 priorities, likely in late February or early March.

People covered in Phase 1A and 1B are eligible to get vaccinated.

  • Phase 1A includes health care personnel with direct patient contact and care, Emergency Medical Services agencies, and long-term care staff and residents.
  • Phase 1B includes all individuals 65 and over, and frontline essential workers

Remainder of Phase 1:

Persons aged 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions: (including Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities).

When: Starting by end of February into early March.

(Source: DE GOV)

Florida

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue. Current priority limited to healthcare workers, LTC residents and those 65 and older. Down syndrome might qualify if hospital deems individual extremely vulnerable.

Eligible Persons as of 12/23/20

  • Long-term care facility residents and staff
  • Health care personnel with direct patient contact
  • Persons 65 years of age and older
  • Persons deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 by hospital providers

How can I help advocate for vaccine priority for individuals with Down syndrome in Florida? FOLLOW THIS LINK TO TAKE ACTION to find a list of your local elected officials, contact information, a script for phone calls, and a templated email. (Source: DSACF)

Florida Vaccination Site Locator Tool

(Source: FL COVID)

Georgia

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Down syndrome and others will be a priority for Phase 1C, but that comes after all groups except the general population.

The Georgia Department of Public Health is currently administering COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1a+ which includes:

  • Healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians, EMS personnel, environmental services, etc.)
  • Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
  • Adults aged 65+ and their caregivers
  • Law enforcement, firefighters, first responders

(Source: GA DPH)

Hawaii

  • Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Down syndrome and others will be a priority for Phase 1C

Phase 1

  • Healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents, which is estimated to be 6% of Hawaii’s total population (NOW);
  • Frontline essential workers and adults 75 years of age and older, which is about 20% of Hawaii’s population (NOW); and
  • Adults age 65 to 74 years, persons 16 to 64 years with high-risk medical conditions, and essential workers not included in the other categories, which is 47% of the state’s population (Spring 2021).
timeline showing healthcare workers, essential workers and more estimated time frames for being eligible for COVID-19 vaccination

(Source: Hawaii)

Idaho

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition.There will be a priority for beginning as early as late April, but that comes after all groups except the general population.

Current:

  • Healthcare, frontline and critical services.

Starting Feb 1:

  • Adults 65 years of age and older

Thereafter:

Early April

  • Food and agriculture workers (including food processing workers)
  • USDA processing plant inspectors
  • Grocery, convenience store, and food pantry workers
  • Idaho National Guard if not included earlier
  • Manufacturing, public transit, and U.S. Postal Service workers

Late April

  • Other essential workers
  • Individuals 16–64 years of age with high-risk medical conditions

May

  • General public/individuals 16–64 years of age

(Source: Idaho Gov)

Illinois

Summary: There may be current priority for Down syndrome. Now in Phase 1B. Potential that may be included in Phase 1C.

Illinois may have a separate letter outlining priority for adults with existing conditions that put them at risk. It is similar to the one in California.

From the IDPH website:

Illinois is now in Phase 1B of the Vaccination Rollout

Phase 1a

  • Healthcare Personnel
  • Long-term care facility staff and all residents
  • Other identified congregate care staff and all residents
  • NOTE: Based on feedback from others, may be now covering family of those with Down syndrome, but perhaps not the individuals with Down syndrome

Phase 1b

  • Persons aged 65 years and older
  • Frontline essential workers
  • Inmates

Phase 1c: Possible groups could include:

  • Persons aged 16 to 64 years old with high-risk medical conditions
  • Other essential workers

Depending on the whether Down syndrome would be considered a “high-risk medical condition”, priority is not likely to be granted until Phase 1c. However, Phase 1c definitions have not been released. There was not specified timeline for reaching Phase 1c.

(Source: IL DPH)

Indiana

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue. Current priority limited to healthcare workers, those exposed to COVID infections materials, first responders, and those 70 and older.

Who is eligible to receive vaccine?

  • Age 70 or older
  • Individual who works or volunteers in healthcare and have (physical or close) contact or face to face interactions with patients? 
  • Individual who has exposure to COVID-19 infectious material? 
  • First responder who has contact with the public and could be called to the scene of an emergency?

The next group to be given priority are those who are 60-69 years old. No dates are provided.

Other eligible groups will be added as more vaccine becomes available.

(Source: IN DOH)

Iowa

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Down syndrome priority may occur soon as part of Phase 1B, Tier 2 “Individuals with disabilities living in home settings and their direct care staff”. Details are not clear.

Iowa is currently vaccinating individuals in Phase 1A, that includes health care providers and long term care residents.

Phase 1B begins February 1, 2021.  

Phase 1B Priority Populations:

Persons aged 65 years and over. OR, the following populations vulnerable to high risk of exposure or severity of illness (listed in order of priority):

Tier 1

  • First Responders
  • PK-12 staff, early childhood education, childcare workers

Tier 2

  • Frontline essential workers
  • Individuals with disabilities living in home settings and their direct care staff

(Source: IDPH)

Kansas

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Priority for Down syndrome is provided for in Phase 3. No dates have been provided.

(Source: Kansas.gov)

Kentucky

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Now in Phase 1B. Down syndrome is a specific priority in Phase 1C.

Who is eligible to receive the vaccine now?

  • Phase 1a: Residents of long-term care and assisted living
  • Phase 1b: Anyone 70 or older, first responders, and K-12 personnel.
  • Starting Feb. 1, people in Phase 1c will also be able to register at some sites across the state.
  • Phase 1c: Anyone 60 or older, anyone 16 or older who has a condition listed by the CDC has highest risk for Covid-19, and all essential workers.

(Source: KY CHFS)

Louisiana

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue, except that the home care recipients provision may cover a number of Down syndrome individuals.

The Louisiana Department of Health is coordinating the COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort in Louisiana. As more vaccines become available from the CDC, more individuals and groups will be offered a vaccination.

Limited amounts of COVID vaccines are available at select locations only for:

  • Persons ages 70 years or older
  • Healthcare providers
  • Home care providers (including hospice workers) and home care recipients (including older and younger people with disabilities over the age of 16 who receive community or home-based care, as well as clients of home health agencies)
  • Dental providers and staff
  • Students, residents, faculty and staff of allied health schools

(Source: LA LDH)

Maine

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue, except that they will likely be included in the 1B group, but at least following all aged 70+.

Phase 1A: Health care workers, Residents and staff of nursing homes

Phase 1B: (February through April)

  • Older Mainers (currently 70+, 65-69 to follow)
  • Adults of all Ages With High-Risk Medical Conditions
  • Certain Critical Front Line Workers
  • (Source: Maine Gov)

Maryland

Summary: Down syndrome is likely a current vaccine priority.

Maryland is currently in Phase 1A, 1B and 1C.

Phase 1A: Health care workers, Residents and staff of nursing homes, First responders, public safety, corrections

Phase 1B: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Assisted living, independent living, behavioral health and developmentally disabled group homes, and other congregate facilities, Adults age 75 and older, Education and continuity of government

Phase 1C: Adults age 65-74, Essential workers in lab services, agriculture, manufacturing, postal service, etc.

Down syndrome should likely get priority based upon the specified group in Phase 1B: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

(Source: MD DOH)

Massachusetts

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. However, priority for individuals with Down syndrome appears to be coming soon.

Massachusetts is currently giving vaccinations to those in their Phase 1 group, that includes healthcare workers and some frontline worker.

Phase 2 is scheduled between February and March and includes: Individuals with one co-morbid condition (link leads to CDC website and the following list that does included Down syndrome.

vaccinefinder.org

(Source: MASS.GOV)

Michigan

Summary: Down syndrome may be a current vaccine priority. But progress seems to be poor and online information is not current.

Per the Michigan.gov website:

By Jan. 11, 2021, all areas of the state may, as vaccine supplies are available, implement vaccination of people who are health care workers or working or residing in long-term care facilities (Phase 1A Priority One and Three), age 65 years or older (Phase 1 B Group A and Phase 1C Group A), or frontline workers whose work role has frequent or intense exposure, and, due to the nature of the work, are not able to maintain social distance (including frontline responders, school and child care staff, or corrections staff) (Phase 1B Group B).

(Source: Michigan.gov Reports)

Everything is marked as draft and poorly updated. Per other sources, Michigan is under pressure from its handling to date.

Under the changes proposed by the (CDC) advisory panel this weekend (that Michigan is likely to follow), that 1C category would remain the same, with those 75 and older getting bumped up to an earlier phase.

That would mean that Down syndrome and other people with underlying medical conditions would fall in priority.

(Source: MI NPR)

Minnesota

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue. Current priority limited to healthcare workers, those exposed to COVID infections materials, first responders, and those 70 and older.

Currently vaccinating Phase 1A. Who will be included in future phases has not been announced.

If you are 65 years of age or older, an educator or a child care worker, you are all eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine right now. Find My Vaccine

(Source: MN COVID)

Mississippi

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue.

First priority

• First priority is front-line emergency staff in hospitals, and residents and staff of long-term care facilities
• As additional doses arrive, will expand to all healthcare workers
• As more vaccine is distributed over the coming months, vaccinations will be expanded to other groups such as essential workers and high-risk groups such as those with chronic disease and over age 65 as determined by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

(Source: MS DOH)

Missori

Summary: Down syndrome is a current vaccine priority.

Missouri is currently vaccinating: Phase 1A and Phase 1B Tiers 1 and 2

Phase 1B – Tier 2: High-Risk Individuals

Protecting those who are at increased risk for severe illness

  • Anyone aged 65 and older
  • Any adults with cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease, COPD, Heart Conditions, weakened immune system due to organ transplant, severe obesity (BMI >40), pregnancy, Sickle Cell Disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, or individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome.

(Source: MO DOH SS)

Montana

Summary: Down syndrome is a current vaccine priority.

Montana has now moved into Phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.

In Phase 1B, COVID-19 vaccines are available to Montanans 70 years of age and older, 16 to 69 years of age with a high-risk medical condition, and American Indians and other persons of color who may be at elevated risk for COVID-19 complications.

In addition, vaccine distribution to long term care facilities (including nursing homes and assisted living facilities) is ongoing.

(source: montana.gov)

Nebraska

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Nebraska is currently working through itsPhase 1A group, a five tier system of vaccinating various healthcare workers. Down syndrome and other existing conditions should receive priority in Phase 1B.

Who can get vaccinated now? 

Residents and staff of nursing homes and assisted living communities and frontline health care workers, who are part of Phase 1A of the state’s plan, now underway. This phase also includes certain kinds of other workers, grouped into five tiers

When can other adults get vaccinated? 

Once the state gets through Phase 1A, it will move to Phase 1B, which includes those 65 and older and is expected to begin in early February. Some counties, including Douglas County, will prioritize vaccinations of adults age 80-plus.  

Phase 1B includes three other tiers, covering residents 18 and older with high-risk medical conditions, first responders, certain essential workers and some other groups.  

Any Nebraska resident can register for a vaccine and get notified when they qualify for a shot. If you’ve already registered through a local health portal, you don’t need to re-register. But if you are age 18 to 64 and did not include relevant health conditions with your registration, re-register through the state portal. The portal is currently in English only but should be available in Spanish by mid-February. 

(Source: AARP)

Nevada

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. No clear announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome until after all 65+ adults. Currently in Phase 1A.

Tier 1 (Phase 1a) — Currently vaccinating

  • Helathcare workers, frontline workers, critical infrastructure, etc.

Nevada’s Future Prioritization Lanes

  • General Population
  • Nevadans 70 years & older
  • Nevadans 65-69 years
  • Nevadans 16-64 years with underlying conditions; Individuals with Disabilities; Nevadans Experiencing Homelessness
  • Healthy Adults, 16-64 years

(Source: ImmunizeNevada)

New Hampshire

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Currently in Phase 1A but now taking applications for 1B which will begin Jan 26. Down syndrome only MAY not be eligible (unless deemed so by healthcare provider), but anyone with Down syndrome and another condition likely to be eligible under 1B. Down syndrome only my have to wait until 3A absent healthcare provider assessment of significant risk.

This distribution plan was announced by officials on Jan. 5, 2021, and revised on Jan. 14, 2021.

Phase 1A: Underway now through March (about 110,000 people)

  • High-risk health workers
  • Long-term care residents
  • First responders

Phase 1B: January 26 to March (about 300,000 people) — Sign-ups can begin Jan. 22; visit https://www.vaccines.nh.gov/

  • People 65 years old or older
  • Medically vulnerable at significantly higher risk, including family caregivers for those under 16
  • Staff and residents of IDD facilities
  • Corrections officers and staff
  • Populations that experience health disparities

Phase 2A: March to May (about 175,000 people)

  • K-12 teachers, school staff, child care workers

Phase 2B: March to May (about 200,000 people)

  • People 50-64 years old

Phase 3A: May and beyond (about 325,000 people)

  • Medically vulnerable people 50 years of age and younger who are at a moderate risk

Phase 3B: May and beyond (about 325,000 people)

(Source: WMUR)

List of Underlying Medical Conditions (adapted from CDC):
Phase 1b: Two or more conditions (i.e. Down syndrome + another)
Phase 3a: One or more conditions (Down syndrome only)

Note: DPHS allows a health care provider to vaccinate any patient assessed to have significant risk for severe illness due to co-morbidities, even if not listed here. This list does not include every condition that might increase one’s risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19, such as those for which evidence may be limited (e.g., rare conditions or combinations of conditions).

(Source: NH COVID)

New Jersey

Summary: Down syndrome is a specified current vaccine priority.

Currently, vaccines are available to the following groups:

  • Healthcare Personnel (Phase 1A)
  • Long-Term Care Residents and Staff (Phase 1A)
  • First Responders (Phase 1B)
  • Individuals at High Risk (Phase 1B)
    • Individuals aged 65 and older
    • Individuals ages 16-64 with medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus. These conditions include: Down Syndrome

How do I get the vaccine? If you are currently eligible, click here for more information on where to get vaccinated.

(Source: NJ COVID)

New York

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue. Currently in Phase 1A and 1B, with priority limited to healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those 65 and older.

On the NY Health Department website there is a full list of who is included in Priority 1A and 1B. These include: healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those 65 years old and older. (Source: NY DOH 1A & 1B)

How do I know when I’m able to get a vaccine? Am I Eligible app 

(Source: NY DOH)

New Mexico

Summary: Down syndrome appears to be a current vaccine priority.

The following groups are currently eligible for vaccine:

  • Hospital personnel
  • Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
  • Medical first responders
  • Congregate setting workers
  • Persons providing direct medical care and other in-person services
  • Home-based health care and hospice workers
  • People 75+
  • People 16+ at risk of COVID complications

(Source: NM DOH)

North Carolina

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Individuals with Down syndrome and other adults at increased risk only get priority in Phase 4 after all other groups except the general population.

Find my Vaccine Priority Group

Find Vaccine Locations

(Source: NC DHHS)

North Dakota

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Individuals with Down syndrome and other adults at increased risk (one medical condition) only get priority near the end of Phase 1c unless there are two or more medical conditions.

Phase 1A

  • Health care workers in direct contact with COVID-19 
  • First responders
  • Long-term care residents and staff

Phase 1B (in order of priority):

  • Persons age 75 and older
  • Persons age 65 – 74 with two or more high-risk medical conditions
  • Staff and persons living in other congregate settings (i.e., corrections, group homes, treatment centers, homeless shelters, etc.)
  • Persons age 65 and older with one or more high-risk medical conditions
  • Persons age 65 and older with or without high-risk medical conditions
  • Persons with two or more high-risk medical conditions * regardless of age
  • Child care workers
  • Workers employed by preschools or Kindergarten through 12th grade:

Phase 1C (in order of priority):

  • National Guard, not previously covered
  • Workers enabling access to human food
  • Public safety answering points (911)
  • Manufacturing related to the development or supply of COVID-19 vaccine
  • Other healthcare/public health workers not included in phase 1A
  • Free standing clinical laundries
  • Public transit, including bus, taxi, ride-share
  • Persons age 16 – 64 with one or more high-risk medical conditions
  • Blood bank workers not previously vaccinated
  • Information Technology
  • All other essential workers per Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

(Source: ND Health)

Ohio

Summary: Down syndrome is likely a current vaccine priority.

Ohio is currently on Phase 1B of the rollout, which is meant to include:

  • Ohioans 65 and older
  • Ohioans with severe congenital, development and inherited conditions that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 complications
  • Teachers and other adult employees of school districts intending to return to in-person classes by March 1.

(Source: Columbus Dispatch)

Oklahoma

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Oklahoma is in Phase 1. However, Down syndrome is a priority under Phase 2, the next stage.

Priority groups and populations are divided out by the four phases outlined.

  • Phase One
    • Long-term care residents and staff
    • Healthcare workers providing direct inpatient care
    • Public health staff conducting frontline COVID-19 pandemic mitigation
    • Oklahoma state licensed Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics
  • Phase Two
    • First responders, paid and unpaid
    • Healthcare workers providing direct COVID-19 outpatient care and services
    • Adults age 65 and older
    • Adults of any age with comorbidities
    • Teachers and staff in PreK-12 schools and educational settings
    • Staff and residents in congregate locations and worksites
    • Public health staff supporting frontline efforts
2020_#262196_OSDH_Vaccine Priority Graphics_v10ai

(Source: OK GOV)

Oregon

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition.No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue.

(Source: OR COVID)

Pennsylvania

Summary: Down syndrome is a specified current vaccine priority. (Except possible Philadelphia County, see below.)

Pennsylvania is currently in Phase 1A. ​Phase 1A is the first vaccine distribution step. The vaccine is currently being distributed to:

  • Long-term care facility residents
  • Health care personnel
  • Persons not directly involved in patient care but potentially exposed to infectious material that can transmit disease among or from health care personnel and patients
  • Persons ages 65 and older
  • Persons ages 16-64 with high-risk conditions:
    • Down Syndrome

Take the “Check to See if You Are Eligible Quiz.” You can then scroll down to find out where you can get tested.

NOTE: Philadelphia County is a separate vaccine jurisdiction and has their own information about vaccine distribution. If you live in Philadelphia County, register to get tested to determine is Down syndrome is currently a priority. It is not clear whether that is a current priority and to find out you need to be a Philadelphia resident. Click here to register.

(Source: PA GOV)

Rhode Island

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue. Currently in Phase 1.

(Source: Rhode Island DOH)

South Carolina

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Down syndrome and other health conditions will be a priority in Phase 1c.

Currently in Phase 1a.

Phase 1c (Late Spring 2021)

*All time estimates are subject to change due to vaccine availability, demand, and provider participation.

Phase 1c includes:

  • All people aged 65 and older
  • People aged 16 and older with certain underlying health conditions that puts them at high risk for severe disease (list by CDC)
  • Other essential workers 

(Source: SC DHEC)

South Dakota

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition.Current priority limited to healthcare workers, long term care residents, and those 80 and older.

(Source: ND GOV)

Tennessee

Summary: Down syndrome is likely a specified current vaccine priority for most individuals.

Phase 1a1 designates high priority for people age 18 and over who are not able to live independently due to developmental or intellectual disability.

(Source: TN DOH)

Texas

Summary: Down syndrome is a specified current vaccine priority.

As of January 21, the Texas Department of Health Services specifically specified Down syndrome is on the Phase 1B priority list. That means that anyone 16 or older with DS is currently eligible to get the vaccine.

(Source: KXAN)

Texas Department of State Health Services Phase 1B priority website

Utah

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Likely priority in next Phase for “people with certain underlying medical conditions”.

Vaccines now available for:

Healthcare workers, long-term care facility staff and residents, first responders, K-12 teachers and school staff, and residents 70 and older.

Who’s next?
We expect COVID-19 vaccines will be available in March for other age groups, people with certain underlying medical conditions, and those who live in congregate settings and are at higher risk for the virus that causes COVID-19.

For more information about where you can receive the vaccination, visit https://vaccinefinder.org/.

(Source: Utah Gov)

Vermont

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Current priority limited to healthcare workers and those 75 and older.

Now:

Who will be eligible next?

AGE GROUPINGS

Registration for people in Vermont who are 75 years and older is happening now. 

After people 75 and older, the next age grouping will be 70 years and older, then 65 and older, as vaccine supply allows.

HIGH-RISK HEALTH CONDITIONS

After the age groups, the vaccine will be available to people in Vermont who have certain high-risk health conditions as identified by the CDC. These are:

  • Down Syndrome

(Source: VT DOH)

Virginia

Summary: Down syndrome is a specified current vaccine priority.

Virginia is now granting priority to Phase 1A and 1B. 1B includes: Frontline Essential Workers, People Aged 65 years and Older, People Living in Correctional Facilities, Homeless Shelters and Migrant Labor Camps, and People aged 16 through 64 years with a High Risk Medical Condition or Disability that Increases Their Risk of Severe Illness from COVID-19

(Source: VA DOH)

Washington

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Current priority limited to healthcare workers, those 65 and older, and some 50 years and older in multigenerational households. No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue.

Currently in Phase 1B tier 1 of vaccine distribution

The vaccine is available to anyone 65 and older, and all people 50 and older who also live in a multigenerational household. This is in addition to populations eligible during phase 1A including health care workers at high risk for COVID-19 infection, first responders, people who live or work in long-term care facilities, and all other workers in health settings who are at risk of COVID-19.

How do I know when I’m able to get a vaccine? To find out when you can get the vaccine, use the Phase Finder Tool. Learn more about how Phase Finder works.

(Source: WSDOH)

West Virginia

Who is eligible now?

  • Health care workers in high-risk settings
  • Nursing home residents and staff
  • Age 80+ and older (early Jan)
  • 70+ population (Jan. 13)
  • 65+ (Jan. 19)
  • 50+ West Virginia school employees

Remainder Phase 1

Remainder of the state’s Phase 1 plan covers workers providing critical “community infrastructure and resources.” In order of priority: 

  • First responders
  • Additional health care
  • Workers in critical services
  • People 50 and older in these fields get top priority in these groupings.

Group 2A

  • People age 16 to 64 with medical conditions that put them at high risk for serious complications from COVID-19 is slated to begin in March. 

(Source: AARP WV)

Whyoming

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition. Current priority limited to healthcare workers, those 70 and older, and frontline workers. No announced plan to include priority for Down syndrome or other existing health issue.

Currently in Phase 1a and 1b. These include healthcare workers, frontline workers and those 70 years or older. Additional Phases have not been announced.

(Source: WY Gov)

Wisconsin

Summary: No current priority for Down syndrome or any other existing health condition.

Currently eligible populations:

  • Frontline health care personnel
  • Residents in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
  • Police and fire personnel, correctional staff
  • Adults ages 65 and over

Next eligible groups:

  • Education and child care
  • Individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs
  • Some public-facing essential workers
  • Non-frontline essential health care personnel
  • Facility staff and residents in congregate living settings

There does not appear to be any priotity planned/announced for individuals with Down syndrome or other existing health conditions.

(Source: WI DHS)

en_USEnglish