COVID-19 vaccine distributed in Montgomery County next week
Officials with Montgomery County Public Health are preparing for the initial rounds of the COVID-19 vaccine. MCPH Administrator Samantha Beeson said the county will be receiving the Moderna vaccine the week of Dec. 21.
“All of our long term care facilities have been matched with a national pharmacy chain to get vaccinated. The 300 doses we are getting this first round will be for the hospital and emergency medical services in our county,” Beeson said. “Currently we are in phase 1A of the vaccine rollout which is healthcare and LTC facilities. Phase 1B includes anyone over the age of 65 and a few other priority groups. On our weekly webinar, it was said that the state hoped Phase 1B could start at the end of December; first part of January depending on the supply.”
During a Thursday, Dec. 3, press conference, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said Iowa will receive its first shipment of 26,000 COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines around Dec. 13. A second shipment of 31,000 Pfizer doses is expected Dec. 20. She added 54,000 vaccines from Moderna are expected for Dec. 27, as well as another 95,000 doses from Pfizer. In total, 172,000 doses are expected for Iowa, meaning 172,000 Iowans will be vaccinated. Both companies have submitted emergency use authorization with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Pfizer vaccine has a 95 percent success against COVID-19, and two doses are required 21 days apart. The Moderna vaccine has a 94.5 percent efficacy against the virus, and two doses are required 28 days apart.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends health care workers and nursing home residents be the first to get vaccinated. Reynolds included that the federal government has developed a long-term care pharmacy partnership, which is a program that leverages national pharmacies to help administer the vaccine among long-term care facilities.
Kelly Garcia, Iowa Department of Human Services and interim Department of Public Health Director discussed the state’s vaccine distribution plan during Reynolds’ press conference Dec. 3.
Garcia explained the differences between storing Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, where Pfizer doses require “ultra-cold storage” at negative 70 degrees Celsius. Once thawed, the vaccine is stable at refrigerator temperatures for five days, she noted.
“We’ve secured 39 locations that can accommodate ultra-cold storage, and we are working on more. Multiple state partners and private businesses have offered support for this function and for that we are tremendously grateful,” said Garcia.
The Moderna vaccine requires a more traditional storage temperature of negative 20 degrees Celsius and is stable for refrigerator temperatures for up to 30 days.
Critical populations will be prioritized to get the vaccine first, Garcia explained.
Health care professionals at hospitals will be prioritized, but the state will hone in on long-term care residents and their direct care staff. The partnership between pharmacies and long-term care facilities will be critical in distributing the vaccine.
CVS, Walgreens and Community Pharmacy will be participating in the program. It’ll also ensure vaccine access in rural areas of Iowa. The vaccine is not approved for children, therefore it is not required for school.
The Infectious Disease Advisory Council (IDAC) will assist the state in developing COVID-19 vaccine prioritization of populations for early states of vaccine response when supply is limited, Garcia said. This group will bring together ethical and clinical expertise from across the state, representing multiple perspectives.
“The reason for this is to minimize health inequities based on geography, poverty, and other social determinants. This group will also provide input as additional vaccines become available, and will help us navigate our distribution of therapeutics,” Garcia said.
More updates on vaccine distribution will be provided as details and federal guidance “are solidified and confirmed,” said Garcia.