SE Minnesota prepares for the first round of COVID-19 vaccination-Austin Daily Herald

Prioritize medical staff

From Monday, health officials hope to begin implementing the first coronavirus vaccination in southeastern Minnesota.

According to Dr. Andrew Bradley, Head of the Mayo Clinic COVID-19 Task Force, the Mayo Clinic Rochester will be vaccinated approximately 2,900 in the first week and 4,900 in the following week.

“Every state has centers that receive vaccines and“ hub-and-spoke ”models,” Bradley said. “(Mayo Clinic Rochester) will be the hub and some of the vaccines we receive will be shipped to other centers to allow them to get their own vaccinations.”

According to Pam Kellogg, Manager of the Mower County Health and Human Services Community Health Division, Olmsted Medical Center and Winona Health are also considered “hubs” and each receive about 975 vaccines.

According to Bradley, vaccinated people had to undergo mandatory state-led training this week before being allowed to issue the vaccine.

Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin Pharmacy Pharmacy Technician Sima Patel will be one of the distributors of the COVID-19 vaccine.Photo courtesy of Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the two vaccines created by Pfizer and Moderna should be given in two doses. Both doses must be from the same product and are given at 21-28 day intervals depending on the vaccine.

Initially, the Minnesota Department of Health will limit the availability of vaccines, so the guidelines set by the CDC’s Immunization Implementation Advisory Board will determine who can be vaccinated first. This group is called “Phase 1a”.

“The first wave of vaccines will provide vaccines to COVID patients, emergency room staff, long-term care facilities, people working in Morg in the ward, doctors and medical professionals who provide emergency care. Medical staff and emergency “Medical Center,” Bradley said. “Currently, a list of people in these categories is being created.”

Bradley said mayonnaise is taking steps to prevent all staff from being vaccinated in one day.

“This is because we know that a measurable incident of slight illness, such as fever, chills, and body aches, lasts for up to a day, especially on the second dose, and to all staff. I don’t want you to experience it, at the same time, “he said. “There can be wonders within and between departments.”

He added that he believes it will take a couple of weeks to complete the Wave One vaccination, assuming they receive the vaccine at the pace they want to receive them.

At the local level, Kellogg said Moor County Public Health has been vaccinated 100 times with the Moderna vaccine, which is used to vaccinate EMS personnel in Moor County. Public health staff will be vaccinated during the week of December 28th.

Rick Thiesse, Senior Communication Media Specialist at Mayo Clinic Health System, said the program will expand to include more healthcare professionals and a wider patient population as supply increases in 2021.

“We are working with public health authorities to coordinate distribution in the community,” he said. “We encourage everyone to be educated about the safety and efficacy demonstrated in clinical trials and consider accepting the vaccine.”

According to MDHCOVID-19 Communications Specialist Erin McHenry, MDH has not yet made a decision on vaccination priorities for Phase 1a and beyond. However, Bradley said all medical centers are likely to take precedence.

“All healthcare centers are expected to prioritize second and third accordingly, and to reach the average person without otherwise healthy risk factors until the seventh wave of prioritization. “I will.” He said. A few months to reach that level. The last estimate I’ve heard is that it will be March or April. “

Bradley added that the timeline could change based on whether more vaccines are approved and whether there are supply chain issues. He also said that new recommendations and guidelines could change that timeline.

As future priorities become apparent, the Mayo Clinic will adopt a public notice strategy if patients are eligible for vaccination.

“I don’t know exactly what it will be because I haven’t done it yet,” Bradley said. “I know the employees who have fallen into Wave 1, the people whose turn is receiving the email, and they are asked to reply to the email with the intention of receiving the vaccine. If you wish to be vaccinated, it is the reserved time. “

MDH said the vaccine will be provided free of charge. The vaccine has been approved by an emergency use authorization and cannot be required by law.

Bradley acknowledges concerns about vaccination, and pregnant women, lactating women, and patients taking immunosuppressive drugs for other medical reasons believe in federal guidance. Although not, vaccination of those individuals who pointed out that the trial has not been specifically studied should be withheld.

According to MDH spokesman John Schadl, the frequency of vaccination is unknown, as the vaccine is not fully approved by the FDA but has an emergency use authorization.

“Whether booster shots will be needed at more intervals in the future, more research will be needed to find out,” he said.

Bradley and Schadl also pointed out that complete immunity is not immediate and usually takes two weeks after the second dose. This means that you can get sick by getting infected with the virus just before or after vaccination.

“Vaccinated people still need to follow public health recommendations. Universal masking, frequent hand washing, avoiding gathering in other unmasked individuals and public places,” Brad said. Lee said. “All infection control precautions will continue to be implemented for the foreseeable future.”

Nonetheless, Bradley said the vaccine appears to be “very, very safe,” based on test trials.

“What we know about its effectiveness is that it can reduce the incidence of symptomatological disorders by about 95 percent compared to the unvaccinated group,” he said. “Given a good safety profile, given good efficacy, I think everyone needs to make informed decisions about whether to take it.”

Phase 1a

Under Phase 1a of MDH’s first vaccination program, the first vaccine will be administered to:

Phase 1a – Top priority

• Hospitals: Dedicated COVID-19 units, ICUs, emergency departments, all personnel working in designated COVID-19 emergency clinics. (This includes, but is not limited to, nurses and nursing assistants, doctors, advanced care providers, respiratory therapists, laboratory technicians, and environmental services / maintenance staff.)

• Long-term care facilities (skilled long-term care facilities and nursing homes): All personnel working in these facilities.

• Emergency medical service personnel: People who provide patient care directly as part of the EMS system. This includes aviation ambulance pilots, ground ambulance drivers, doctors, doctor assistants, nurses, and personnel certified or registered by EMSRB (emergency medical personnel, advanced emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technology). Persons, emergency medical responders) are included.

• COVID Tester: A person who provides tests at a large community test center.

COVID community vaccinated: Public health vaccinated and vaccinated who are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1a.

• Caregivers: Residents of skilled care facilities and nursing homes (including veterans’ homes)

Phase 1a – Second priority

• Hospital: All staff who provide direct patient service or handle infectious substances and are not included in the top priority group.

• Long-term care facilities (long-term care facilities / serviced housing arranged by home care providers): All personnel working at these facilities.

• Emergency Care Settings: All personnel who provide direct patient service or handle infectious substances and are not included in the top priority group.

• Dialysis Center: Any person who provides direct patient service or handles infectious substances.

• Long-term care resident: A resident who lives in a home that provides services with an arranged home care provider, also known as Assisted Living (including veterans’ homes).

Phase 1a – Third Priority

• Healthcare workers: All