Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has given the green light for Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Phase 2 is set to include any individual 65-and-older, comprising approximately 1 million Kansans.

“After moving quickly to vaccinate close to 130,000 frontline health care workers and Kansas seniors, my administration has worked with local health departments and providers to prepare to move Kansas into Phase 2,” Gov. Kelly said.

Kelly said it’s important to remember that the rate of vaccinations is dependent upon the number of doses received from the federal government. Federal supply, however, remains low. The next weekly supply of new first doses is set at 45,000, so not everyone eligible for Phase 2 will be able to receive an immediate vaccination.

“We use every tool available to make vaccine delivery transparent, efficient, and fast in order to reach as many Kansans as possible,” Gov. Kelly noted.

Governor Kelly is asking for patience during this time of low supply. Priorotitized populations are asked to contact local health department regarding further details of inoculation.

For those wanting to view key metrics related to COVID-19 vaccinations in Kansas, a dashboard can be viewed at www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data. The State of Kansas is slated to launch a “Find my Vaccine” mapping tool in the near future. The tool will allow Kansans to track down sites that are offering vaccines administration in their communities.

Sedgwick County Health Department is finalizing the sign-up process for Phase II vaccinations for persons 65 and older. Currently, there is not a sign-up or waiting list for Phase II vaccinations. However, more information will coming soon on how residents will sign-up as the supply of vaccines become available. Updated information will be available at https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine-information/.

Phase 2 Guidelines:

• Persons aged 65 and older

• High-contact critical workers necessary to maintain systems, assets, and activities that are vital to the state security, the economy or public health, or who interact with large numbers of contacts and job-related COVID-19 exposure. COVID-19 risk is associated with the likelihood of infecting oneself or spreading the virus. Factors that increase risk include proximity, type of contact, duration of contacts and challenges to implement protective measures. This includes:

• Firefighters, police officers, first responders, and correction officers

• Grocery store workers and food services

• K-12 and childcare workers, including teachers, custodians, drivers, & other staff

• Food processing, including meat processing plants

• Large-scale aviation manufacturing plants

• Transportation workers

• Workers in retail, agriculture, supply of critical services or materials for COVID-19 response, the U.S. Postal Service, and Department of motor vehicles

• Those living or working in licensed congregate settings and other special care or congregate environments where social distancing is not possible, including:

• Homeless shelters

• Congregate childcare institutions

• Emergency shelters or safe houses

• Corrections facilities

• Behavioral health institutions