COVID-19 inoculations continue on schedule

The COVID-19 vaccine continues to be administered to Rock County people in the first phases of the rollout.
So far, public perception seems positive, according to local public health officials.
“Certainly there have been health care workers that have chosen to not get vaccinated or take a ‘wait-and-see’ approach,” said Jason Kloss of Southwest Health and Human Services. “The COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary.”
While some are declining, Kloss said most are eager to receive their shots.
“Many are wondering when it will be their time to get the vaccine,” he said. “Obviously this depends on vaccine distribution and availability.”
He said the schedule follows strict guidance from the state as to who gets the vaccine and when. 
The Phase 1a first priority group included health care staff, EMS personnel and non-affiliated emergency responders.
Kloss said 67 percent of Sanford Luverne staff chose to be vaccinated.
The second priority group in Phase 1a includes assisted living workers and nursing home residents and staff.
The Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, for example, reported that the vaccine had arrived and inoculations started Monday.
By Friday all residents and staff will have received their first dose, and the second dose of the two-injection series will be provided in four weeks.
More than 95 percent of residents have agreed to receive the vaccine, and many staff have said they are looking forward to receiving the vaccine.
“Staff understand the importance of the vaccine in keeping our residents and colleagues safe and healthy,” said Douglas Hughes, deputy commissioner of veterans health care for the MDVA.
“The vaccine will help us take a big step toward ending this pandemic.”
The vaccinations come after 10 months of responding to the coronavirus pandemic, which required the Luverne Veterans Home to adopt strict infection control procedures, restrict visitors and curtail group activities.
The Luverne Veterans Home currently has four positive cases among 72 residents and 206 staff.
Priority group 3 of Phase 1a includes other health care workers (dentists, chiropractors, optometrists), pharmacists, health care workers in correctional facilities, funeral directors, mental health workers, school nurses and group home residents.
Phase 1b includes frontline essential workers, teachers and persons 75 years or older.
Phase 1c includes other essential workers and persons 65 to 74 years old and persons 16 to 64 years old with high-risk medical conditions.
Phase 1d includes all others, but Kloss said the start of later phases will depend on the time frame of second dose administration.
“Keep in mind that this is only the first of a two-dose vaccination,” Kloss said. “The second dose must be given within about 30 days of the first dose.”
This means health care and EMS personnel and long-term care facilities will need to be given another dose in about 30 days to receive full protection from COVID-19.
“This will likely delay the progression to the subsequent phases,” Kloss said.