I've often wondered why "essential workers" weren't next in line for the vaccine after "front line workers" instead of elderly people, particularly since many elderly people already live in relative (safe) seclusion if not within a senior facility (which, if you remember, is were where a significant number of COVID cases were being transferred to from hospitals), and I sometimes wonder if the conversation went like this -
Essential workers: I don't want the vaccine until there's more data. Let someone else go first.
Deciding parties: No sweat, we have an endless supply of old people.
Essential workers: But they have underlying health problems, won't that mess up the data?
Deciding parties: Yes, but we can still glean useful convincing data.
Not saying that's how it went, just saying it kinda makes sense.