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1. What phase is Kansas currently in for vaccinations?

Kansas is in Phase 2 for vaccinations, which includes persons aged 65+, congregate settings, high-contact critical workers and unvaccinated Kansans from Phase 1. Learn more about availability and timelines. 

2. Who is prioritized to be vaccinated in Phase I?

While federal vaccine supply is low, healthcare workers;  residents or patients in long-term care (LTC), senior housing or LTC-supported independent living; and workers critical to pandemic response continuity are prioritized for Phase I.

Healthcare workers include but are not limited to the following:

• Staff in long-term care facilities
• Workers in direct contact with patients, e.g., Medical Doctors (MD); Doctors of Osteopathy (DO); Doctors of Podiatric medicine (DPM); nurses; Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT); clinical students and trainees -- does not include first responders and dispatch who are prioritized in Phase 2.
• Diagnostic labs, phlebotomists, pandemic health workers (e.g., individuals performing COVID tests)
• Mental healthcare providers, pharmacy staff, non-medical staff –- if exposed to patients or infectious materials
• Healthcare-associated contractors, including food, waste management, etc.
• Dentists, physical therapists, professionals performing elective procedures
• Workers providing institutional care to community-based long-term services and supports (LTSS); personal care assistants (PCAs); home care workers regulated by the state; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) designated caretakers; and other caregivers providing services to disabled peoples or those with severe medical risks
• Morticians, forensic and funeral service workers
• Staff in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC); community health centers (CHC); safety-net/ free clinics; faith-based outreach clinics -- inclusive of state-funded clinics
• Home health aides, nursing assistants
• Veterinarians

Workers critical to pandemic response continuity are defined at the county level. If you have questions about your eligibility, contact your local public health department or call KDHE at 866-534-3463 or email. For additional information on the timelines and phases, refer to the Vaccine Prioritization Plan.

3. Who is prioritized to be vaccinated in Phase 2?

While federal vaccine supply is low, Phase 2 includes persons aged 65+, high-contact critical workers and congregate settings.

High-contact critical workers include but are not limited to the following:

• Firefighters; police officers; first responders; emergency dispatchers; correction officers
• Grocery store workers and food services
• K-12 and childcare workers, including teachers, custodians, drivers and other staff
• Food processing, including meat processing plants
• Large-scale aviation manufacturing plants
• Transportation workers
• Workers in the following industries, if they regularly need to be in high-risk settings to perform their duties:
  • Retail, warehouses and sales outlets
  • Agriculture
  • Supply of critical services or materials for the COVID response (e.g. personal protective equipment (PPE))
  • The U.S. Postal Service
  • Department of Motor Vehicles

Congregate settings include but are not limited to the following:

• Homeless shelters and other homeless housing settings and dwelling places
• Congregate childcare institutions, adult and child protective services
• Emergency shelters or safe houses for victims of domestic violence
• Corrections facilities, including jails and juvenile justice facilities
• Behavioral Health institutions (including mental health institutions) and residential treatment centers
• Adult care homes, residents and staff in home plus facilities not covered in Phase 1
• Senior living homes
• Home care givers (paid or unpaid), personal care aides

If you have questions about your eligibility, contact your local public health department or call KDHE at 866-534-3463 or email. For additional information on the timelines and phases, refer to the Vaccine Prioritization Plan.

4. How will I know when it's my turn to get vaccinated?

Please remain patient as the federal vaccine supply is low. The decision to move to a new vaccination phase at the state level will be announced through multiple channels, including this website, KansasVaccine.gov, as well as the Governor’s press releases and local media outlets. 

Your local public health department does have the flexibility to move to the next phase based on available supply, vaccine administration and anticipated patient demand. Stay updated on what’s happening in your community by following your local public health department or federally qualified health center on social media and by checking their website. You can also contact your local health department directly.

5. When will a vaccine be made available to the general public?

The federal vaccine supply is still very limited, so Kansas is administering COVID vaccinations in alignment with the phases outlined in the Vaccine Prioritization Plan. An approximate timeline is associated with each phase; however, it is subject to change based on federal vaccine supply. While the specific timeline cannot be guaranteed, the goal is to vaccinate all Kansans who want to be vaccinated this year.

6. How will I have to prove that I meet the requirements of the phase?

Providers have been encouraged to implement some form of patient sub-group verification, such as employer letters, age checks wherever easy and accessible, self-reported surveys or screening online or on-site. Verify your provider’s screening requirements before going to your appointment. If you foresee any challenges to providing this type of identification, please contact the vaccine provider, your local public health department or call KDHE at 866-534-3463 or email.

7. Why are universities not included as a Phase 2 population?

Although universities are not specifically included in Kansas Phase 2 (or CDC phase 1b), local public health departments may determine that it is appropriate to include them under Phase 2. For example, some university faculty or staff that fit under the critical worker criteria -- workers providing critical services who are at a higher risk of being infected because their jobs require consistent, close contact with a large number of individuals, and who are not able to work remotely -- may qualify for Phase 2, as determined by their local public health department. For additional information on the timelines and phases, refer to the Vaccine Prioritization Plan.

8. How do I know where I fit in the Vaccine Prioritization Plan?

The Vaccine Prioritization Plan accounts for all Kansans, so if you do not qualify for an earlier phase based on your profession or medical condition, then you would qualify for a later phase based on your age. Find the latest information in the Vaccine Prioritization Plan.