Mar 25, 2021 - Health

Over 40 states set to expand vaccine eligibility to all adults by May 1

Caitlin Owens

Illustration of the coronavirus vaccine and the Tampa skyline, over a pattern of palm trees. — Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

More than 40 states plan to meet President Biden's goal of making all adults eligible for the coronavirus vaccine by May 1, and at least 30 plan to open up eligibility before then, per NYT.

What they're saying: "My thought is that we're going to see a continued decrease in transmission as we open vaccine eligibility," Cindy Prins, an epidemiologist at the University of Florida, told NYT.

"It's not just a matter of more people getting vaccinated, but the variety of ages and kinds of people who can get vaccinated will reduce that transmission," she added.

The other side: Millions of vulnerable Americans, including older people and those with underlying health conditions, remain unvaccinated.

Opening up eligibility to non-vulnerable people too fast could increase competition for shots for the vulnerable people who are still waiting in line.

Go deeper: Opening the vaccine doors too wide, too fast could threaten equity

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Over 40 states set to expand vaccine eligibility to all adults by May 1

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