The Senate had a special guest Wednesday.
During a virtual gathering with all members, Health Commissioner Mark Levine defended the state’s vaccine prioritization, doubling down on his department’s decision to inoculate the oldest residents first.
During the 50-minute session, lawmakers peppered Levine with questions about whether and when other groups — including people of color, private home caregivers, people with disabilities, teachers, essential workers, and incarcerated people — could receive the Covid vaccine.
Levine maintained that vaccinating the oldest Vermonters first saves lives. Already, Covid cases and “the numbers of deaths have dramatically decreased,” Levine said in response to a question that challenged the state’s methodology. “I don’t think that would make us say we made a mistake.”
Scientific evidence does not support an alternative approach to vaccine distribution, he told senators, as he deftly brushed aside questions and concerns.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that vaccinating teachers does not need to be a prerequisite for reopening schools.
Levine said Wednesday that disability is not an inherent risk factor for Covid, though he added that his department was still finalizing guidance on when people with developmental disabilities would be eligible to get the vaccine.
Inmates in Vermont have not contracted the virus at especially high rates, he added, while pointing out that Vermont is in the top 10 states in terms of vaccination per capita.
When it comes to “getting back to normal,” Levine hedged his bets, but said it could be as early as mid-summer.
“I wouldn’t want to be held to that,” he said. “I’d much rather be held to saying during the fall.”
—Katie Jickling
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