DES MOINES, Iowa - An Iowa state panel is now determining which groups of people will be prioritized to receive COVID-19 vaccines moving forward.
Frontline medical workers have been first in line, followed by staff and patients at nursing homes.
The state's Infectious Disease Advisory Council is now considering which groups will follow, while the CDC is recommending that people over age 75 and essential workers such as police and firefighters should be next.
The state Council has been accepting written feedback from stakeholders and employers while meeting in private to determine its next moves.
The council has been criticized for gathering behind closed doors, but interim state Public Health Director Kelly Garcia is defending the practice, saying it offers a "free flow of conversations" among the 25 experts on the panel.
Stakeholders and employers were given until December 23rd to submit their arguments for prioritization.
Last week, Garcia said subsequent rounds of the vaccine could go to groups with chronic health conditions or physical or intellectual disabilities, and homeless people.
The state's Infectious Disease Advisory Council was assembled by the Iowa Department of Public Health.