Smokers, regardless of age, are now allowed to get on the vaccine wait list; the state says they are following guidelines set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smokers and people suffering severe obesity are at higher risk of severe illness or death and therefore can be considered for standby list. That’s according to a spokesperson for Indiana’s health department citing the CDC. The decision to allow smokers on the vaccine wait list has angered some groups. Jennifer Smith-Margraf of the Indiana State Teachers Association says their members deserve front-line-worker status.
