A draft of a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan has been released by the Kentucky Department for Public Health, discussing who would be the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the state and why.
Counts make it very clear -- our main lines of defense -- haven't done enough to slow the spread.
The tri-state now in dire need of the life line -- a vaccine promises to be.
As 44news reporter valerie lyons explains - live from henderson tonight ---- the bluegrass is on standby.
The state has laid out a draft of its plan for distributing a covid-19 vaccine -- anticipating the first shipment of doses to be available between late 2020 and early 2021.
Kentucky's commissioner of public health -- says --they submitted an initial comprehensive draft to the c-d- c on how the state plans to distribute the vaccine to local health departments and health care organizations.
Its something all state's were recently required to do --- but the bluegrass is the first of the tri- state's to make the plan - public.
"when the vaccine first becomes available, whether it's one or more of them, we'll have relative small quantities in the beginning, so what we will have to do is determine who will get those first small quantities."
The plan is broken down to four phases -- the first ensures those most at risk have access first -- including first responders -- essential workers -- and healthcare personnel.
The second -- includes food service employees -- transportation workers -- and k-12 educators.
And the third -- those 60 years and older -- and high risk children and pregnant women.
Then everyone else can be vaccinated after.
But while a vaccine is within grasp -- local doctor roy arnold worries speed is being prioritized over safety.
"this one is being produced in a matter of months.
I am concerned that there will be side effects that have not yet been discovered that will turn up later on."
The vaccine is still in its trial stage -- and it is still unclear how many doses a person would need.
And with roughly 100 million doses expected for the u.s. -- dr. arnold questions how effective it will actually be.
"if you get 100 million doses and 50 percent of them are effective in fighting that of that means you've got 50 million immune people out of a population of 340 million and it c c c couasily be a second pandemic."
Dr. stack with kdph says distribution the kentucky's commissioner of public health -- says --they submitted an initial comprehensive draft to the c-d- c on how the state plans to distribute the vaccine to local health departments and health care organizations.
Its something all state's were recently required to do --- but the bluegrass is the first of the tri- state's to make the plan - public.
"when the vaccine first becomes available, whether it's one or more of them, we'll have relative small quantities in the beginning, so what we will have to do is determine who will get those first small quantities."
The plan is broken down to four phases -- the first ensures those most at risk have access first -- including first responders -- essential workers -- and healthcare personnel.
The second -- includes food service employees -- transportation workers -- and k-12 educators.
And the third -- those 60 years and older -- and high risk children and pregnant women.
Then everyone else can be vaccinated after.
But while a vaccine is within grasp -- local doctor roy arnold worries speed is being prioritized over safety.
"this one is being produced in a matter of months.
I am concerned that there will be side effects that have not yet been discovered that will turn
Kentucky's Public Health Commissioner says a covid-19 vaccin will be available in December.
