NEW YORK, Jan 6 (Reuters) - U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on Wednesday that states should not let recommendations to prioritize certain groups like essential workers slow the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations.

"Those are simply recommendations, and they should never stand in the way of getting shots in arms," Azar said at a press conference for the Operation Warp Speed vaccination program,

If states are struggling to distribute the vaccine "then by all means you want to be opening up to people 70 and over or 65 and over," he said. (Reporting by Michael Erman)