The administration of Governor Janet Mills has released it’s plan to distribute a coronavirus vaccine to the state’s residents, with a phased-in approach that will prioritize those who are at higher risk of serious illness.

The state submitted the plan on Friday, which was the deadline set by the federal government to develop a plan.

If and when a vaccine for the novel coronavirus is approved, Maine will distribute it in four phases:

“Phase 1 would include health care workers providing direct patient care in high risk settings, others who work in critical infrastructure, and those working and living in congregate settings. Phase 2 would begin when supply is sufficient to vaccinate more broadly and include people with underlying health conditions, along with school staff and people in correctional settings. Phase 3 would transition to more routine vaccination efforts in both populated and rural areas across Maine, with Phase 4 expanding vaccine access to all residents.”

The plan is designed to address three major public health concerns: protecting minorities and the elderly population, who are disproportionately more likely to be exposed or suffer serious health outcomes as a result of contracting the virus; ensuring a vaccine is available to health care providers across the state; and maintaining flexibility as new information becomes available about the availability and efficacy of any vaccines that are approved.

“Maine is committed to working with the health care sector and stakeholders across the state as we plan for the receipt and distribution of a vaccine when one becomes available,” said Governor Mills. “While there is work to be done, the submission of this document represents a positive step forward. My Administration will continue its collaboration with others as we build on our state’s COVID response and plan for an eventual vaccine.”

“This preliminary document represents a collaboration encompassing hundreds of hours of work that started in spring 2020,” said Dr. Nirav D. Shah, Director of the Maine CDC. “I thank our partners throughout the state for joining us in this effort to prepare Maine for a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.”