Columbiana County is expecting its first round of the COVID-19 vaccine to be shipped before Christmas, according to Columbiana County Health Commissioner Wes Vins.
“We have not been officially notified as to when the vaccine will arrive and the exact amount, but we expect approximately 1,000 doses to be allocated to our county in this first round,” Vins said.
“Our County’s Vaccination Task Force is ramping up our infrastructure so we can quickly send these first doses to hospital caregivers, who are directly on the front lines.”
The first shipment to arrive in Columbiana County will most likely be the Moderna vaccine, pending FDA approval by the end of this week.
The Columbiana County’s three health districts plan on dividing the vaccine supply between East Liverpool City Hospital and Salem Regional Medical Center, for both hospitals to vaccinate their frontline workforce as recommended in Ohio’s vaccination plan.
“Our County’s health districts and hospitals have been working in partnership for several weeks to develop a vaccine distribution plan and we are looking forward to launching our first phase, which is a priority distribution to those who are directly caring for Covid-19 patients,” Vins said. “We expect to receive an adequate supply of the vaccine in this first round to immunize the majority of these high priority healthcare providers.”
Each hospital will coordinate its internal vaccine distribution process to the caregivers within their organizations.
“The vaccination involves a two-step process and recipients must wait between 21 to 28 days before receiving their second shoot, referred to as a booster. It will take about five weeks from the time the first dose of the vaccine is administered to achieve full immunity. The vaccine is an important safeguard for our caregivers, who choose to be immunized and protect themselves in the fight against this virus,” said Gretchen Nickell, D.O., chief medical officer, East Liverpool City Hospital.
“These initial vaccine doses represent a much-needed symbol of hope for our frontline caregivers, who have been working tirelessly since March. We plan on implementing a phased vaccination approach, in alignment with federal and state guidelines, to prioritize and offer the vaccine to direct caregivers first,” said Anita Hackstedde, M.D., president/CEO, Salem Regional Medical Center.
Vins said that specific details about the vaccine’s rollout are still pending and may vary based on the vaccine’s unknown arrival date in Columbiana County and the actual quantity to be shipped. The County’s Vaccine Task Force members include the Columbiana County, East Liverpool and Salem City Health Districts, Community Action Agency, East Liverpool City Hospital, Salem Regional Medical Center and the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program.
He added that a mass vaccination plan has also been developed by the task force, which includes distribution of the vaccine to the public at a future date, depending on when supplies become more widespread across Ohio.
© 2020 Metro Monthly. All rights reserved.
