Though there is some dispute over how soon a COVID-19 vaccine will be available to the general public, it appears a few million doses may be ready before the end of this year. There is general agreement they should go to the most vulnerable among us.

That is older people with pre-existing medical conditions. We know that. But if there is any agreement on vaccine rationing — and what will happen will be just that — it ends there.

Clearly, specific guidelines for distribution will have to be developed.

And while older people should be the priority, nursing home personnel cannot be forgotten. Even though many of them may be at low risk personally, they are the carriers who take the virus into long-term care facilities. Keeping the virus out of their systems is vital.

Other health care professionals, ranging from ambulance staffers to doctors, nurses and support personnel at hospitals, should get the vaccine too.

Rest assured there will be enormous controversy over vaccine distribution. And while availability of any vaccine is months away, getting distribution plans in place as soon as possible — so they can be explained, debated and perhaps refined — is vital.