First COVID-19 vaccines given to CCCH healthcare workers

On Dec. 22, Chase County Community Hospital (CCCH) began giving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination to hospital staff and EMS volunteers, said Kay Schmidt, CCCH quality improvement and infection prevention coordinator.
“As of Tuesday, 30 doses have been given. We haven’t had any adverse reactions reported,” Schmidt said.
There are two doses of the vaccine administered 28 days apart, she said.
“We won’t be giving COVID-19 vaccinations to the general public until we are instructed to by Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department,” she added.
Myra Stoney, SWNPHD health director, encourages the general public to be patient.
“Healthcare facilities are reporting being overwhelmed with calls from the public seeking the vaccine,” she said.
“We are asking the public to stop calling healthcare facilities and the health department in search of the vaccine. Instead, wait patiently while the vaccine is distributed utilizing the federal guidelines,” she said.
Stoney noted the first phase (1A) prioritizes those in the highest risk categories including frontline healthcare workers, emergency medical services and long-term care staff and residents.  
SWNPHD is working with local public health partners to complete Phase 1A with an anticipated completion date of Jan. 9.  Phase 1B (first responders, city infrastructure employees, education workers) will launch as Phase 1A nears completion.
“The vaccine is not available to the public at this time and is not anticipated until March or April at the earliest,” Stoney said.
She said further information will become available with each phase when enough vaccine is available.
Basic facts
Getting the virus that causes COVID-19 may offer some natural protection or “immunity,” but experts don’t know how long this protection lasts.

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