Public Health updates on next rounds of vaccine

GREENFIELD — Adair County Public Health officials said they’re currently completing the first phase of COVID-19 vaccinations and are eager to move on to phase 1B of the vaccination schedule sometime after Feb. 1.

Included in phase 1A of the vaccinations were healthcare workers and those who live in long term care facilities. In phase 1B, priority groups will be those age 65 and older and a tiered approach for some high-risk essential workers, like first responders, PK-12 school staff, early childhood education workers and childcare workers.

“We are planning now for Phase 1B, which is a very large task due to the high number of people and groups it covers,” said Jane Ernst, Public Health Director. “We are very pleased to be able to offer the vaccination to more residents next month. However, there are numerous moving and often-changing parts that will determine how and when clinics are scheduled locally.”

Included in those factors are potential vaccine shortages, allocation quantity and timeline as determined by state and federal partners, as well as the possibility of limited supporting resources.

“Although some of the circumstances we face are not in our control, we remain committed to vaccinating as many people as possible in our community as safely and efficiently as possible,” Ernst explained. “We will continue to give our best each day to achieve this goal. We ask for your continued support and patience as we plan for and implement Phase 1B.”

Ernst said that Public Health has administered approximately 65% of the original allocation of vaccine and are now working toward completing second doses for healthcare workers.