There’s plenty of hope to go around during this holiday season; especially thanks to the recent developments in the fight against the coronavirus.
Local health officials are preparing to receive their first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines as early as this week.
Columbus Regional Health anticipates it could receive enough of the vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech to treat around 500 individuals should the Food and Drug Administration grant emergency use on Dec. 10. CRH predicts it will start vaccinating on or about Dec. 15.
CRH will act as a COVID-19 vaccination site for healthcare workers in Bartholomew, Decatur, Jackson and Jennings counties. Those doctors, nurses and other staff from the region, as well as nursing home residents and caregivers, will be at the front of the line for the injections.
After healthcare workers and the highest-risk population get the vaccine, additional essential workers — like firefighters and policemen — will get the shots.
Vaccinated individuals will have to return three to four weeks later to get a second shot to keep the virus at bay.
Pfizer and BioNTech say their vaccines are roughly 95% effective, and that they plan to have 50 million doses — including enough for 12.5 million people in the U.S. — distributed globally by Jan. 1.
More good news came last week as drug-maker Moderna said it is asking U.S. regulators to allow the use of its vaccine. Moderna says it could have 20 million doses — enough for 10 million people — in the U.S by the end of the year should its vaccine get approved.
While it will take some time — likely months — before the general public has access to the vaccine, the Bartholomew County Health Department hasn’t been wasting any time in making plans for vaccination sites.
Amanda Organist, director of nursing, said that the health department is currently securing locations and purchasing supplies for "mass vaccination clinics." She also said that the health department "feels prepared" for the upcoming challenges of vaccinating thousands.
While plans could change, it’s encouraging to know that local healthcare officials will be ready to administer the vaccine when the time comes. The recent developments should provide optimism for all.
At the same time, it’s imperative that Hoosiers continue to observe the public health guidelines in place as the vaccine is rolled out. The number of cases are still rising, and will cause continued hardship in the coming months.
The finish line is in sight, but there’s still plenty of marathon left to be run.
