COVID-19 vaccines expected to be here soon
Sheila Harris
In the fight against the spread of COVID-19, mask-wearing has been the only prospective prophylactic measure southwest Missouri residents have had at their disposal, up-to-date, other than attempts to beef up their immune systems with the use of supplements and plenty of rest. That’s soon to change.
December 11, the FDA approved Pfizer’s BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, initiating the shipment of the first round of 3 million doses of the vaccine across the nation, just as the nation surpassed a death toll of 300,000 due to complications of the virus.
In southwest Missouri, the first Pfizer vaccination was given to a healthcare worker at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.
Barry County Health Department administrator, Roger Brock, says, due to the ultra-cold storage requirements for the Pfizer vaccine (between -112⁰F and -76⁰ Farenheit), which are unavailable at the health department, his office will wait for the pending FDA approval of the Moderna vaccine. That approval is expected to be granted by December 18, although Brock said, realistically, he doesn’t expect to receive any vaccines until next week, at the earliest.
“We have an order placed for 100 vaccines,” Brock said, “It’s the maximum amount we’re allowed to order at one time. Until further notice, these vaccines will only be available for use by frontline healthcare workers and extended care facilities.”
According to Brock, many residential care facilities are contracting with CVS and Walgreen Pharmacies, who will send a healthcare team out to vaccinate residents onsite.
“There are some extended care facilities who are not contracting with the pharmacies, though,” Brock said, “so we are working with them in order to provide vaccines.”
Brock emphasized that vaccines will not be available to the general public through the health department for an unspecified period of time.
While county health departments are under the auspices of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, local hospitals have their own plans for vaccine distribution.
According to a statement by CoxHealth, they expect to receive a shipment of 7,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in the coming days. In preparation for its arrival, they have surveyed employees to learn who is interested in receiving the vaccine so they can determine a schedule for distribution, which is planned in line with guidance from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Pending FDA approval, which is expected on Dec. 17, it will begin being administered to frontline staff members the week of Dec. 21. This will take place across CoxHealth’s campuses, including in Monett and Lamar. They are very excited for this vaccine and what it means for their staff, their patients and their communities.
After vaccinating two bedside nurses Monday, Mercy Hospital Springfield began its first full day of vaccine distribution to co-workers on Tuesday.
Mercy’s infectious disease doctors were among the first to roll up their sleeves, emphasizing their confidence in the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.
“I’ve looked at the studies, and I trust the FDA and the CDC’s review,” said Dr. Will Sistrunk. “I had family members who were part of the trials. They reported the mild symptoms you’d expect to see with a vaccine – low fever, body aches and headache. Those are actually good to see, because it means the vaccine is working.”
To keep everyone socially distanced and focused on patient care, co-workers are scheduling appointments for their shots. The process has been moving quickly, but more nurses will be added to distribute the vaccine if a line develops.
Plans are in the works to get vaccine to frontline workers at Mercy Hospital Aurora, Mercy Hospital Cassville, and Mercy St. Francis Hospital in Mountain View. Co-workers in those facilities and at area clinics also have the option of coming to Mercy Hospital Springfield to get their shots.
In the fight against the spread of COVID-19, mask-wearing has been the only prospective prophylactic measure southwest Missouri residents have had at their disposal, up-to-date, other than attempts to beef up their immune systems with the use of supplements and plenty of rest. That’s soon to change.
December 11, the FDA approved Pfizer’s BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, initiating the shipment of the first round of 3 million doses of the vaccine across the nation, just as the nation surpassed a death toll of 300,000 due to complications of the virus.
In southwest Missouri, the first Pfizer vaccination was given to a healthcare worker at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.
Barry County Health Department administrator, Roger Brock, says, due to the ultra-cold storage requirements for the Pfizer vaccine (between -112⁰F and -76⁰ Farenheit), which are unavailable at the health department, his office will wait for the pending FDA approval of the Moderna vaccine. That approval is expected to be granted by December 18, although Brock said, realistically, he doesn’t expect to receive any vaccines until next week, at the earliest.
“We have an order placed for 100 vaccines,” Brock said, “It’s the maximum amount we’re allowed to order at one time. Until further notice, these vaccines will only be available for use by frontline healthcare workers and extended care facilities.”
According to Brock, many residential care facilities are contracting with CVS and Walgreen Pharmacies, who will send a healthcare team out to vaccinate residents onsite.
“There are some extended care facilities who are not contracting with the pharmacies, though,” Brock said, “so we are working with them in order to provide vaccines.”
Brock emphasized that vaccines will not be available to the general public through the health department for an unspecified period of time.
While county health departments are under the auspices of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, local hospitals have their own plans for vaccine distribution.
According to a statement by CoxHealth, they expect to receive a shipment of 7,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in the coming days. In preparation for its arrival, they have surveyed employees to learn who is interested in receiving the vaccine so they can determine a schedule for distribution, which is planned in line with guidance from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Pending FDA approval, which is expected on Dec. 17, it will begin being administered to frontline staff members the week of Dec. 21. This will take place across CoxHealth’s campuses, including in Monett and Lamar. They are very excited for this vaccine and what it means for their staff, their patients and their communities.
After vaccinating two bedside nurses Monday, Mercy Hospital Springfield began its first full day of vaccine distribution to co-workers on Tuesday.
Mercy’s infectious disease doctors were among the first to roll up their sleeves, emphasizing their confidence in the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.
“I’ve looked at the studies, and I trust the FDA and the CDC’s review,” said Dr. Will Sistrunk. “I had family members who were part of the trials. They reported the mild symptoms you’d expect to see with a vaccine – low fever, body aches and headache. Those are actually good to see, because it means the vaccine is working.”
To keep everyone socially distanced and focused on patient care, co-workers are scheduling appointments for their shots. The process has been moving quickly, but more nurses will be added to distribute the vaccine if a line develops.
Plans are in the works to get vaccine to frontline workers at Mercy Hospital Aurora, Mercy Hospital Cassville, and Mercy St. Francis Hospital in Mountain View. Co-workers in those facilities and at area clinics also have the option of coming to Mercy Hospital Springfield to get their shots.