MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Arkansas is currently in phase 1A of the vaccination plan. Changes have been made to the plan so first responders now fall under the first category.
”This category alone is 180,000 Arkansans are in this category and our goal is to complete this by the end of January,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson.
Changes are also coming to phase 1B.
”Instead of having age 75 plus in category 1B we have reduced that to age 70 plus,” Hutchinson said.
He says that particular population is at risk in the state.
He also says 400,000 Arkansans, not counting essential workers, fall under this category, and hopes vaccinations for this group will begin Feb. 1.
”We estimate that 1B, We’re hoping that we can complete that in 60 days,” said Hutchinson.
Hutchinson has made remarks about having a slow rollout and the state is now partnering with pharmacies to help speed up the process. In addition to this Hutchinson also said data is delayed.
”I would emphasize that the data is delayed, and so CDC gave our reporting elements, which is our pharmacies or hospitals that administer vaccines, three days to report results,” said Hutchinson.
As of Jan. 5, the Arkansas Department of Health has received 134,425 doses of the vaccine and only 37,884 have been administered that’s 28.2%.
Hutchinson says there could be adjustments to the phases down the road, and encourages people to look at the plan to see what category they are in and when it’s their turn.
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