Keep after it, you'll find out!
Yea, we're fucked!
The county commissioners had a briefing this afternoon, which I only found out because one of my wife's contacts works in the news dept of the local TV station, from the county health department and the COO of the biggest hospital system here, which I was able to stream. What a cluster. First off there are currently 3 different paths for vaccine. These are all separate from each other, EXCEPT that the state uses doses all 3 have received to determine allocation for the next shipments.
#1 the nursing homes, etc. that signed up for a federal program. Administered by CVS or Walgreens, to administer. Their own supply chain and staffing for the vaccine.
#2 the hospital systems that receive vaccine for healthcare providers, either employees or contractors. They are also on their own supply chain.
#3 the rest of us, through the county health dept, with the state allocating supply. However the doses from #1 and #2 factor into the supply that #3 gets.
The county plans to start vaccinations for those over 75 on Jan 11, but until they know how many doses the will receive are not making appointments. Two locations are being readied, a Sears store at the mall that closed in 2019, and at the community college.
County census estimates there are 40,000 75+ olds in the county. They received 975 doses yesterday to start that phase, and expect 975 the next week. They hope to vaccinate 1000 a week, for 2 weeks. Then at the end of 2 weeks, the next phase kicks in which is 'essential workers' i.e. grocery store, etc., that are over 50, regardless of health, who will also be competing for what ever supply is available with the 38,000 remaining 75+ year olds. County population is 230,000.
COO of hospital system spoke. His hospital and all others in the area have 3 times the COVID patient count they had before Thanksgiving. Staffing is what keeps them up at night.
The hospital system has received enough vaccine for all patient care staff, almost 9000. They will first offer excess to other medical providers not associated with the hospital, such as dentists, etc. He expect 30% of staff will refuse the vaccine.
Then there was chatter about "if you have insurance" that your provider will likely be included in the distribution, at some point in time.
OBTW, the county does not "know" they will receive a vaccine next week, or how much. They are just planning for 975, nor if it will be Pfizer or Moderna.
They also put up a chart of what they have received, how much, and from whom. First 2 from Pfizer, last 3 from Moderna. So if you get the Pfizer, there is also the crap shoot as to when your 2nd is due, do they have Pfizer on hand or just Moderna? I'm assuming the if you get one, your second dose should be the same vaccine source.
The hospital guy also said the tracking is much more stringent, unlike the flu vaccines. Detailed info must be kept as to source, lot number, etc., plus contact information "in case" there happened to be a "problem" with that lot#, or if you have a problem.
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