First phase of COVID-19 vaccines nearly complete

By Linda Trest, Staff Writer
Posted 1/27/21

“At close of business Jan. 28, all nursing home residents and staff wishing to be vaccinated will have their first dose (of the COVID-19 vaccine) administered,” says Franklin County …

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First phase of COVID-19 vaccines nearly complete

Posted

“At close of business Jan. 28, all nursing home residents and staff wishing to be vaccinated will have their first dose (of the COVID-19 vaccine) administered,” says Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Tim Brinker. 

Brinker notes that the 26 nursing home facilities in the county are receiving the vaccinations through Walgreens and CVS. That milestone will help the county reach its initial goal in getting the vaccine to those who need it the most. 

Others in the first tier of the first phase include patient-facing healthcare workers, plus EMS/EMTS/Paramedics. 

Phase 1B, Tier 1 includes First Responders and emergency workers. Tier 2 will begin getting vaccines to high risk individuals. 

That effort will receive a big push this Saturday, Jan. 30, with a vaccination clinic for pre-registered recipients only at the Union City Auditorium. The goal is to provide 1,000 first doses that day, pending availability from the state.

Brinker says the Franklin County Health Department has 2,450 total vaccines ordered but no guarantee of inventory from the state. He reports “many gaps in communication and distribution regarding logistical information needed to administer the solution” to vaccine distribution. 

Registrations for the vaccine are done online by going to fcmohealth.org and click on the MERCY link. The vaccines will only be administered to those pre-registered. 

The FCHD asks that if you know persons in these categories that do not have access to the internet, please reach out to them and register them if at all possible. 

Volunteers at the Gerald Area Library can help people register who do not have access to a computer. Please call 636-249-7630 to set up an appointment. 

The FCHD also asks that all individuals tested for COVID-19 strictly quarantine at home until you receive notification of the test results. An alarming number of cases return to work and attend gatherings after being tested while awaiting results. This unnecessarily exposes many others in the workplace and within the community.