Rock County’s first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are expected next week, and local health officials are preparing for its administration and prioritizing who will get it.
“While this process is just starting, a safe and effective vaccine will have a game-changing impact on the course of the pandemic,” said Sanford Luverne director Tammy Loosbrock.
She said vaccines are prioritized for frontline health care and long-term care residents until sufficient doses are available for the general population.
“Initial supplies are limited so front-line health care workers have been prioritized by groups. With shipments expected weekly, we expect to get to all priority populations within the first several weeks.”
She said the Luverne hospital has a list of direct caregivers that will be offered the vaccine first.
According to Jason Kloss of Southwest Health and Human Services, approved providers are being trained this week ahead of next week’s vaccine distribution.
Among his key talking points is the message that the vaccine is safe.
“We want Minnesotans in every corner and every community to know they can trust the process, the safety and the effectiveness of the vaccine,” Kloss said Monday.
He said the vaccine will be distributed to 25 regional “hub” sites, including Marshall and Worthington, that are set up to receive vaccine deliveries through the national vaccine distribution chain.
“Those hubs have been tested and they are ready to receive the vaccine and distribute initial doses,” Kloss said.
“Initial vaccines will be given in closed settings – we’re bringing the vaccine to the first priority groups. This means there’s not a ‘list’ that Minnesotans need to get on to get vaccine.”
Since Phase 1a is based on employment and place of residence, people eligible for this category will be contacted by their employer or the facility where they live to let them know when vaccine is available to them.
Phase 1b is for essential workers including education, utilities, law enforcement, firefighters and transportation workers.
Phase 1c is for adults over 65 and adults with high-risk medical conditions.
In later phases, vaccine will be available at settings like pharmacies or primary care providers, and people will be able to make an appointment to get it.
“We know we will get vaccine, but it won’t be enough for everyone right away,” Kloss said.
The Covid-19 vaccines went through the same rigorous clinical trials that other vaccines go through.
Steps were taken that allowed the process to be more efficient, such as being able to make vaccine while it was still going through trials so it would be ready if/when it was approved.
People need two doses about a month apart for full protection. After the second dose, it will also take about two weeks for their bodies to build up protection.
“So it’s about six weeks total from the first vaccine to when you should be protected,” Kloss said.
“That’s another reason we can’t stop the masking and social distancing right away.”