Kelly Outlines Kansas COVID Vaccination Plan

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has announced her administration’s final COVID-19 distribution order for population groups in Kansas. The vaccine will be administered in five phases, beginning with those most at risk of contracting or becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and ending with all Kansans at large.

“These COVID-19 vaccination phase groups were created using guidance from national and state public health experts and with input from the Kansas Coronavirus Vaccine Advisory Council, or COVAC, which represents a diverse group of populations in Kansas,” Kelly said. “My priority remains providing every Kansan with updates and information on vaccine schedules as we get them and to get everyone vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

The Kansas Coronavirus Advisory Council, representing a diverse group of Kansans statewide, is part of Governor Kelly’s commitment to maximizing benefits, minimizing harm, and striving for equity, justice, and fairness when it comes to when the vaccine will be made available to which Kansans.

The five phases of the order will initially cover health-care workers and residents of long-term care facilities, then those 65 and older and high-contact critical workers in vital security, public health and food-chain and educational roles. The third phase will involve those under 65 with eight co-morbidities or risk factors, including pregnant women. Also in the Phase 3 distribution channel are workers in critical manufacturing sectors, such as aviation and energy production or other utility work, including IT and communications.  Phase 4 will go to those 16-64 years old with a range of underlying health conditions, and the final group ill include the remainder of the population 16 and older. 

View a visual representation of the distribution order here.

View informational slides regarding vaccine distribution here.