A limited group of frontline workers were the first to receive COVID-19 vaccines in Union County on Wednesday. Pictured above, Medical Reserve Corps volunteer nurse Connie Frambes, at left, administers a vaccine produced by Moderna for local primary care doctor Laura Sorg. Below, Union County Health Department public health nurse Sue Lisman stores some of the first received doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in storage Tuesday to keep them cool before they were administered. (Photos submitted)
After months of anticipation, a number of Union County frontline workers received perhaps the best Christmas present of all.
The Union County Health Department hosted the community’s first COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Union County Fairgrounds Wednesday.
UCHD Public Information Officer Jennifer Thrush said the county received its first, small shipment of COVID-19 vaccines Tuesday.
“In just a little over 24 hours we had contacted, scheduled and administered the first doses to Emergency Medical Service personnel from area fire departments who chose to be vaccinated,” she said.
Thrush said the closed clinic was a “community effort” that required 30 Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, UCHD staff, Emergency Management Agency volunteers and area EMS providers on site.
She noted that they were also able to vaccinate a few primary care doctors and nurses whose offices are in Union County, some local medical volunteers and staff who have been providing COVID-19 testing in the county and a limited number of those who are responsible for administering the COVID-19 vaccine locally.
The federal and state governments are creating priority groups to determine the order in which individuals will be able to receive the vaccine.
Currently, only Tier 1A and 1B have been released by Gov. Mike DeWine.
Tier 1A includes: EMS responders, healthcare workers directly involved with the care of COVID-19 patients, residents and staff at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, patients and staff at psychiatric hospitals, people with developmental disabilities or mental health disorders living in group homes and residents and staff at Ohio veterans homes.
Those in Tier 1B include: Ohioans 65 and older; those living with severe congenital, developmental or early-onset medical disorders; and adults who work in schools.
Union County Health Commissioner Jason Orcena previously said the health department is emphasizing EMS and medical staff while supply is limited to ensure ill people in the community continue to be cared for by them.
He said he expects UCHD to receive small shipments of between 100 and 200 doses per week for the next several weeks.
Once supply of the vaccine increases, Orcena said he believes the health department will be able to administer 1,000 doses weekly.