Stanly County’s health department on Thursday administered the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine to qualifying health workers.
Patti Lewis, a nurse at the Stanly County Department of Health, received the first vaccine.
“I think it’s critical to get this vaccine because we’ve had so many deaths due to COVID,” Lewis said. “We have so many ICUs being exceeded, and it all puts so much strain. This is a big step to help reduce it. ”
“Planning and logistics are crucial in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine,” said David Jenkins, director of health and human services. “Each vial of Moderna vaccine contains ten doses and we have to coordinate the scheduling of ten suitable people to receive it at our transit site. After we open the seal of the vial, we have only six hours to apply it before it expires and [we] do not want anyone to perish. ”
The Stanly County Department of Health will continue to administer COVID-19 in the coming weeks and months. The focus is currently on vaccinating workers who fall under Phase 1a as designated by the state.
Groups are vaccinated in the following phases, determined by state guidelines:
• Phase 1a: health workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care staff and residents;
• Phase 1b: Adults 75 years and older and essential workers at the front;
• Phase 2: Adults with a high risk of exposure and increased risk of serious diseases;
• Phase 3: Students;
Phase 4: Everyone who wants a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19.
The Stanly County Department of Health will notify the public when the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to them during each phase. You can get the chance.
You can stop the spread of the virus by following the three W’s:
● Wear a cloth lid.
● Wait 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact.
● Wash your hands regularly or use a hand cleaner.