Expansion of COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Criteria in Louisiana

The State of Louisiana is announcing an expansion of the criteria for Phase 1b, Tier 1 of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. This expansion, effective Monday, February 22, includes all persons previously available in Phases 1a and 1b, Tier 1 and expands Phase 1b, Tier 1 to include:

• Teachers and any other support staff working onsite in K-12 schools or daycares
  • Teachers and staff actively working onsite should bring their employee badge or paystub
• Individuals aged 55-64 with at least one of the conditions listed by the CDC as placing them at an “increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.” The CDC list of conditions can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html.
  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Down Syndrome
  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
  • Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30kg/m2 or higher but < 40kg/m2)
  • Severe obesity (BMIC >40kg/m2)
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Smoking
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• All pregnant persons, regardless of age
• Providers/staff of Nonemergency Medical Transportation Services (NEMT), to be added to the currently eligible “ambulatory and outpatient providers and staff” category
• Election workers assigned to work the March and April 2021 elections whom carry a letter stating they have been selected, along with their ID.

Important: Persons with above mentioned medical conditions should be instructed to complete the Louisiana COVID-19 Vaccine Attestation Form which is attached to this Health Alert and will be posted on the Louisiana COVID Vaccination website.

Vaccine Locations can be found: https://ldh.la.gov/covidvaccine-locations/