Vaccine Distribution Priorities To Rely On Governors, Not ACIP, HHS Secretary Azar Says

Azar says ACIP’s prioritization recommendations should carry weight, but states will be final arbiter of who is vaccinated.

HHS Secretary Alex Azar wears a mask during a 24 November 2020 briefing on COVID vaccine distribution.
HHS Secretary Alex Azar says ACIP's recommendation for coronavirus vaccine prioritization is expected shortly after an EUA is issued. • Source: Shutterstock

Recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ultimately may not dictate the coronavirus vaccination process.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on 24 November that the ACIP recommendations on the groups that should receive the vaccine will be important to trigger reimbursement mechanisms,

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