TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced the state will move to Phase 3 and 4 of Kansas’ COVID-19 vaccination plan on March 22. With this move, individuals between ages 16 and 64 with a preexisting medical condition and other non-health-care workers in critical infrastructure will be eligible for vaccination.

“Thanks to an increased supply in vaccine, Kansas will begin vaccinating individuals who qualify in either Phase 3 or Phase 4 on March 22,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “This expedited timeline will allow Kansans to get back to work, back to school, and back to a more normal way of life. I urge all Kansans to do their part by getting vaccinated when it is their turn and continuing to follow the public health guidance, so we can return back to normal.”

Kansans now eligible to be vaccinated include:

• Those aged 16 through 64 with conditions that increase the risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including: 

- Cancer; 

- Down Syndrome; 

- Certain heart conditions; 

- Type 1 & 2 diabetes; 

- Pregnancy;

- Asthma;

- Cystic fibrosis;

- Liver disease; 

- Neurological conditions like dementia; 

- And other medical risks.   

• And other non-health-care workers in critical infrastructure who cannot work remotely, including: 

- Agricultural and food workers not included in previous phases; 

- Workers performing in-person activities indoors; 

- Utility workers; 

- Social service and government workers not included in previous phases; 

- Logistics workers, such as truck transportation workers and couriers; 

- Water and wastewater workers; 

- Shelter, housing, and finance workers; 

- And information technology and communication workers.

This announcement, made one week ahead of time, will give counties with vaccination events planned an opportunity to finish vaccinating Kansans in Phases 1 and 2 and will ensure providers have enough time to prepare and notify Kansans who will be eligible in the newly combined Phase 3 and 4. Under this expedited timeline, Kansas is expected to move into the final phase of vaccinations by no later than May 1. The fifth and final phase includes the rest of the population age 16 and older, and children, subject to further research on vaccine risks and effectiveness for children.

Additionally, Governor Kelly announced the state will activate more providers to complete vaccinations, including safety-net clinics, pharmacies, hospitals, and medical practices. Kansas will also partner with the federal government to set up mass vaccination sites in Kansas to increase the number of vaccinations possible per day.