California Includes Oral Health Professionals in First Phase of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

The state of California is set to receive 327,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as early as next week, and oral health professionals are included in Phase 1a, which puts healthcare providers and long-term care residents at the front of the vaccine line. The California Dental Association lobbied to have oral health professionals included in Phase 1a, noting the care they provide is essential. There are three tiers within Phase 1a, with hospital-based providers in tier 1, health clinic-based providers in tier 2, and dental providers in tier 3. Tier 3 includes all healthcare providers who treat patients in lower risk settings. According to the California Department of Public Health, everyone classified as Phase 1a will receive a COVID-19 vaccination by the end of January. Read more here.