The criteria for the current phase of vaccinations are a lot broader and people have questions. Author: Nikki Krize Updated: 3:42 PM EST January 20, 2021 WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — State officials announced major changes to its phases for the COVID-19 vaccination. The current phase previously included health care workers, emergency responders, and long-term care staff and residents. Now, anyone over the age of 65 can receive the vaccine as well as people with high-risk medical conditions. "Your cardiac conditions, underlying lung conditions, underlying immune-suppressive conditions because you're on chemotherapy or certain medication," said Dr. Alison Brodginski, Geisinger's Northeast Director of Infectious Diseases. The list also includes people who are obese and smokers. There are now more than 3.5 million Pennsylvanians in phase 1A of the state's vaccination plan.