COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution for Child Care Workers

Last updated March 22, 2021. 

If there is anything the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light, it is that child care providers are essential. In order to protect their own health, the health of their employees and the families they serve, providers need access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Here at Winnie, we hope to make it easier for providers to find the information they’re looking for, whether that is whether they are currently eligible for vaccination in their state or where they can go to receive the vaccine. As things change, we will update this page, to ensure the information is accurate and timely. 

To see the current status of child care worker vaccine eligibility and distribution in your state, click here:

State-by-State Vaccine Distribution Plans for Child Care Workers

Frequently asked questions:

• How is the COVID-19 vaccine distributed?
• Who is considered a "child care provider"?
• What barriers exist for child care providers?
• How can I find information on when and how to get vaccinated?

How is the COVID-19 vaccine distributed?

States and local governments are responsible for planning how the vaccine will be distributed in their areas. Using CDC guidelines, each state submitted their interim plans in October 2020, outlining how they will determine eligibility for the vaccine. Each plan must contain certain information about the distribution process (such as tracking, distribution, eligibility, etc) but states are empowered to change plans as needed and are not required to follow federal guidelines. The plans also outline how public health, community partners and external agencies will collaborate to ensure distribution is well planned and carefully carried out. 

Distribution then began in December 2020 and has rolled out in phases (and sub-phases) based on the number of doses available:

• Phase one was based on a limited number of doses
• Phase two is based on larger number of doses
• Phase three is based on having enough doses for the entire population

Since the coordination of vaccine distribution has many moving parts, states continue to update their plans as more information becomes available or as federal guidance changes. Some states, like Connecticut and Rhode Island have moved away from a phase approach to an age based distribution. 

Who is considered a “childcare provider”? 

It is not always clear who falls under the “childcare provider” umbrella: does it refer to all staff at a larger daycare center? Does it refer to in-home childcare providers? What about informal neighbor or family childcare? Home Grown and The National Association for Family Child Care are working with policy makers to ensure in-home childcare providers are included in the  “childcare provider” definition outlined in most state distribution plans. 

What barriers exist for childcare providers?

There have been a few key differences in distribution plans between states, that can cause confusion for someone looking to be vaccinated. 

• The number of phases each state has can vary. States use between two and five phases, each with sub-phases (1a, 1b, etc.) This can make things difficult for daycare or preschool programs that employ providers from more than one state.
• Some states, like Texas and Florida do not indicate which group or phase childcare providers belong to
• Some states, like Indiana, have incomplete plans, with the first or second phase outlined but are waiting for updated guidance before moving forward with the rest of their plans. This can make long-term planning difficult for providers who wish to be vaccinated.

How can I find information on when and how to get vaccinated?

The table below contains updated information about eligibility, on a state by state basis. Once someone becomes eligible, they can find a vaccination site near them using Vaccine Finder, which also contains information on the types of vaccine available at each site and how to schedule an appointment. Since the number of vaccines available is still limited, appointments are required. 

Some states still have not provided information on when childcare providers will be eligible to receive the vaccine. If you live in one of these states, you are encouraged to call local policymakers and ask for more updated information. As state plans change, we will adjust the information on this page so childcare providers and the families they serve have access to the most updated information available. 

State Vaccine Distribution Plans for Child Care Workers

Last updated Monday, March 22, 2021.

Are you seeing something different in your state?

Please contact us and let us know of any updates in your state or barriers that you have encountered in obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine as a child care worker.