CDC Clarifies that Dentists and Dental Personnel Included in Initial Phase of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Recommendation

  • by AGD Washington Advocacy Representative
  • Jan 5, 2021
On December 28, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC provided updated examples of its definition of "healthcare personnel (HCP)" that it recommends be among those offered the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC's examples included dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants under the definition of healthcare personnel.
 
Vaccines are being allocated based on each state's adult population. Healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities will be offered vaccination in the COVID-19 vaccination program's initial phase, followed by workers in essential and critical industries.
 
FDA fact sheets and information for health care providers and patients regarding the two vaccines can be found at the links below. 

Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine
Moderna Vaccine 

Additionally, you can find more information as it relates to the general dentist on AGD's COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage.
 
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD is pleased that the CDC has clarified its definition of healthcare personnel that will receive priority access to COVID-19 vaccines. AGD recently joined members of the Organized Dentistry Coalition (ODC) and other health stakeholders in sending a letter to the CDC on this subject. The widespread distribution and administration of vaccines for the prevention of COVID-19 are essential to ending the pandemic and allowing the delivery of dental care to normalize.