According to Wright County Public Health, they are working to get the COVID-19 vaccine to people as quickly as possible. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is partnering with county public health departments for this process. Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are currently being administered in Iowa to the Phase 1A priority populations of health care personnel and long-term care residents and staff.
The whole process involves meticulous organization and planning. Wright County Public Health Director, Sandy McGrath, R.N., says IDPH has allotted the county 400 vaccine doses so far over the last couple weeks which public health manages. Wright County Health Department then apportions some of the doses to Iowa Specialty Hospital to vaccinate their health care providers in the 1A category within their system.
Despite nationwide reports of problematic or stalled distribution of vaccines, Wright County officials assure the public that they are working overtime to vaccinate as many people as they can as quickly as they can. “We are putting doses in arms as quickly as we can. We are not holding them back and they are not just sitting on a shelf.” McGrath said.
She adds that this does take a high level of coordination since the process has to be carefully timed. The vaccine must be thawed out and then the six doses in each vial must be distributed within six hours of opening it. “I have not wasted a single dose and I WILL not. I find an arm for every dose,” McGrath emphasized.
McGrath said that regardless of what people are hearing on the news about some places not being able to manage their vaccines, she is confident in the county’s system. “We have been doing mass vaccinations for years. This is not unfamiliar to us. When we get the vaccine, we know what to do with it. Just give us more.” She stressed that the county will be receiving additional doses for the second dose required for full immunity and that the county is not holding back doses for that purpose currently.
As more vaccines become available, Iowa’s Infectious Disease Advisory Council (IDAC), will review guidance issued by the CDC to further prioritize populations to receive the vaccine in Iowa. IDAC is currently reviewing recommendations for Phase 1B and 1C priority populations.
Wright County will continue to provide updates for other priority populations as they receive additional allocations of vaccine. “While right now the vaccine is being made available to the priority populations, it is anticipated that by mid-2021, there should be enough vaccine for anyone who wants to receive it,” said McGrath.
Until vaccine is widely available to all, McGrath reminds all that it is critical that Iowans continue to practice the mitigation measures that can slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands, and staying home if you feel sick.
