Health care personnel, Emergency Medical Services agencies, and long-term care staff and residents will receive the vaccine first.

Health care settings in general, and long-term care facility (LTCF) settings in particular, can be high-risk locations for SARS-CoV-2 exposure and transmission. Health care personnel are defined as paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. Early protection of health care personnel is critical to preserve capacity to care for patients with COVID-19 or other illnesses. LTCF residents are defined as adults who reside in facilities that provide a range of services, including medical and personal care, to persons who are unable to live independently. LTCF residents, because of their age, high rates of underlying medical conditions, and congregate living situation, are at high risk for infection and severe illness from COVID-19.

Those who are ages 65 and older, as well as those considered frontline essential workers including: police, fire, teachers, child care providers, food processing workers, correctional officers, and postal service, public transit and grocery workers will begin to be vaccinated.

People in the following categories are expected to be eligible to receive a vaccine:

• Persons age 50+ may be vaccinated at pharmacies.
• Persons aged 16-64 with high risk medical conditions can be vaccinated by their medical provider or a health care system. For a list of conditions visit: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/vaccine/vaccination-timeline/#high-medium-risk (updated per CDC 3/31/21)
• Non-paid or family caregivers of individuals 16 – 64 with outlined medical conditions are eligible for vaccination from medical providers or health systems.
• Frontline and Other Essential employees are both eligible…but will be prioritized based on frequency of contact with public, inability to work from home, or inability to social distance while on the job site. Due to the size of this group, the majority of this group should expect it to be April before they are able to get an appointment.

More details:

• If you are 16 – 64 with an underlying health condition, the vaccinating provider’s decision on who to vaccinate will be based on the provider’s (not the state’s) clinical judgement.
• While other essential employees such as Transportation and Logistics, Food Service, Shelter and Housing (construction), Finance, IT and Communications, Energy, Media, Legal, Public Safety (Engineers), Water and Wastewater, Personal Care Services (Hair, Nails, Massage), Clergy and Staff of Houses of Worship may technically be eligible at this time…employer groups are being prioritized by risk. Those with most frequent public contact, those unable to work from home, and other factors will be offered vaccination opportunities first. Much of this group will be more likely to be served in April. (See Starting April 6).
• Employees should expect to hear from your employer with details on vaccination opportunities. Some employers will vaccinate staff on site through occupational health or company/contracted medical staff, or they may work with DPH to be matched with a vaccinating partner. Employers: If you would like to vaccinate your employees and have not already done so, contact DPH’s Vaccine Planning team (vaccineplanning@delaware.gov) so DPH can help you start developing plans for your employees.

Persons age 50+ may sign up for the state’s wait list. These persons are still eligible to get an appointment separately through a pharmacy. You should take whichever appointment you are able to find first. Persons on the waitlist are eligible to receive invitations to vaccination events at state-coordinated events (such as Dover International Speedway, Curative, and Vault Health).

Persons 16+ are eligible to be vaccinated at a pharmacy or state-coordinated event. Persons with underlying health conditions should still seek an appointment first through their medical provider or hospital system. More information on where to get a vaccine is available at: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/vaccine/where-can-i-get-my-vaccine/

As with previous phases, we ask for your patience. It may take several weeks to vaccinate everyone in this group. You may not be eligible for an appointment right away.

Employees should expect to hear from your employer about vaccination opportunities. Employers: If you would like to learn how to best vaccinate your employees and have not already done so, contact DPH’s Vaccine Planning team (vaccineplanning@delaware.gov) so DPH can help you start developing plans.