Some congressional staffers will be eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine designated for “critical” employees.
Congress’s attending physician said late on Monday that two staffers in each House member and senator’s offices may receive the vaccine, according to Politico. Four staffers of each committee chairman or chairwomen and each ranking committee member may also receive the vaccine.
“Employees who occupy positions determined to make them eligible for the vaccine under these standards will be and/or have been notified of their status separately and provided with logistical information regarding the process for scheduling an appointment for the vaccination,” Dr. Brian Monahan said in the memo to lawmakers.
Monahan added that the first wave of vaccines is meant for those whose jobs are deemed essential for “continuity of operations” or require physical presence and in-person interactions.
Lawmakers began receiving the first of two approved coronavirus vaccines earlier in December. Vaccines have also been distributed among healthcare workers across the country. Federal officials predict the vaccine to become widely available by April 2021.
State and local governments have implemented increased public health measures as coronavirus cases continue to rise, especially as travel increased throughout the holiday season.
The United States has had over 19 million cases of COVID-19 and more than 330,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker.
