LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky could see its first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine next month, which would be a welcome progression in a state where cases exceeded 100,000 in October, with an increasing number of hospitalizations and deaths.
Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack told a legislative panel Wednesday that the first of a dozen progressive vaccines could be available soon.
“We cautiously hope that first responders, vulnerable Kentucky physical care workers will have access to safe vaccine doses until mid-December,” Stack told members of the Interim Committee on Health, Welfare, and Family Services.
But it will take more than a year for the vaccine to be available to everyone, Stack said, because of the limited initial effort and enormous effort required to distribute and administer a vaccine in a country of about 330 million people.
“It’s a huge logistical challenge,” he said.
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Federal fitness officials, in collaboration with states, have developed plans to administer the vaccine in stages, starting with fitness and vulnerable populations, such as retirement home elders, who have been devastated by coronavirus. 1,489 COVID-19-related deaths since March.
The lawmakers in it had questions. Among them:
No, Stack responded, claiming that no public aptitude officer had proposed to manufacture a COVID-19 vaccine required by law.
“What we hope to do is make it available to everyone who can potentially benefit from it,” he said.
Stack said the state is working with fitness network officials and others to research public attitudes toward a COVID-19 vaccine and will use this data to succeed in others with answers to their questions.
“Vulnerable populations have long been skeptical of vaccines,” Stack said. “Our plan is to address people’s considerations with effective data with tactics they can perceive and allow them to make their own informed decisions. “
Skeptics come with the two lawmakers who co-chair the committee.
“I just want to say that I’m a supporter of vaccines,” said Rep. Kim Moser, a nurse and Republican for independence.
Senator Ralph Alvarado, a Winchester Republican, added, “I’d be the first to take one if I can, once the vaccine develops. “
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Initially, pharmacy chains such as Walgreens and CVS, and others, such as hospitals and clinics, will be the leading vaccine providers due to the complex garage and vaccine reporting.
For example, some vaccines should be kept at below-zero temperatures of-114 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, existing plans require vaccines to be sent in vials containing up to 1,000 doses, meaning they will have to be administered on a giant scale.
In other areas, others may be vaccinated at their doctor’s workplace or local clinic, Stack said.
The first phase includes health care workers, lifeguards, others of all ages with fitness disorders who put them at greater risk, and seniors in establishments such as nursing homes.
Phase 2 includes teachers and school staff, staff such as supermarket or pharmacy staff, and others who live or paint in settings such as organization homes, homeless shelters, or prisons and prisons.
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Phase 3 includes young adults, youth, and others in life-to-life occupations for society, and Phase Four includes the general public that did not qualify before.
Stack said he plans to succeed at all with a vaccine until 2022.
“It will take the whole next year, all next year, to get phase 3,” he said.
“This is a major logistical challenge,” Stack said, adding that large, coordinated efforts will be made through state and federal governments operating with providers such as pharmacies, fitness services, hospitals, and clinics.
In addition, maximum progressive vaccines require two doses, which means other people will have to step back a momentary dose and make sure they get the same vaccine they won the first time.
“You can’t go from one vaccine to another,” he says.
But he said the idea was imaginable and that the effects valued it for audiences tired of months of restrictions on activities, social estrangation and disguised in public.
“We must all resume our normal activities. I think we can all agree on that,” Stack said. “I think it’s about allowing other people to go back to where we were. “
A video of Stack’s testimonial can be obtained on the KET online page at KET. org. A copy of your presentation can be found on the Legislative Commission of Inquiry’s online page at legislature. ky. gov.
On Sunday, 108,642 Kentucky residents became inflamed with COVID-19 and 1,489 virus-related deaths.
For others with general questions about COVID-19, such as symptoms, remedies, or tests, the Kentucky Poison Control Center receives calls at 800-722-5725.
For more information, visit the state website, govstatus. egov. com/kycovid19, or call the COVID-19 hotline at 800-722-5725. You can get information about COVID-19 verification sites on the website.
Information can also be obtained louisvilleky. gov/government/health-wellness the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Welfare. The COVID-19 panel of the department is louisvilleky. gov/covid19.
Grace Schneider: 502-582-4082; gschneider@courierjournal. com; Twitter: @gesinfk. Deborah Yetter: dyetter@courier-journal. com; 502-582-4228; Twitter: @d_yetter.