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NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger Monday sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in support of designating credit union employees as "essential" workers under its coronavirus vaccination distribution plan.

With this designation, credit union employees would be eligible to receive the vaccine following healthcare workers, long-term care facilities, and older Americans.

"From the start of the pandemic, many credit unions took steps to help minimize person-to-person interaction, such as limiting staff travel, encouraging staff to telework as much as reasonably possible, and reminding members of online and mobile banking resources as well as drive through windows if available," Berger wrote. "The health and safety of credit union staff and members remains the industry’s top priority as the COVID-19 pandemic endures.

"We appreciate the designation of workers in the finance industry as 'essential' under Phase 1C and want to ensure that all credit union employees are able to receive a vaccine as soon as possible so they may continue to protect the health and financial well-being of their members and communities."

NAFCU has also been engaged with the NCUA and other agencies regarding the designation of credit union employees as "essential" to ensure they have access to the resources they need amid the pandemic.

There are currently two vaccines approved for use in the U.S. Last month, the CDC recommended that healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents be among the first to receive the vaccine under Phase 1A. Additional information on the vaccines and distribution plans can be found on the CDC's website.

Throughout the pandemic, NAFCU has advocated for regulatory relief and flexibility for credit unions as the industry worked tirelessly to support members facing financial hardships while ensuring the health and safety of members and employees. Access NAFCU's coronavirus resources here.