Moderna Vaccine Arrives in Time for Christmas-Los Angeles Sentinel | Los Angeles Sentinel

Public health officials continue to emphasize the crucial importance of staying home during Christmas to avoid another surge in addition to the current one. Getty Images

It’s Christmas and should look a little different if you’re going to stop the latest surge in the COVID-19 pandemic. Health officials have begged the public not to repeat the vacation trips that many have made during Thanksgiving. The hospital reports a zero-capacity ICU, and a mobile morgue truck outside the medical facility is a harsh memory in the midst of a holiday fanfare. The advent of the Pfizer vaccine and the recent approval of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are highly needed at the end of the 2020 tunnel. Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of public health, still emphasizes that overcoming this surge means staying consistent with health guidelines.

“It’s very encouraging that vaccines have arrived and front-line healthcare professionals are starting to get vaccinated, but it will take months to vaccinate the entire population of LA County, starting this week and beyond. Your actions will determine whether you will survive the next two months without continuing to experience the horrific increase in hospitalizations and deaths, “Ferrer said.

“If you need to go out for work, exercise, or basic services, open the door and cover your face before going out. Always wear a mask. Avoid crowded areas , Always stay at least 6 feet away from people you do not live with. And continue to use hand sanitizers and wash your hands. “

She continued. “The only way so far we have a chance to stop the surge is to stay at home as much as possible and enjoy the vacation only in our immediate home. This means that there is no direct gathering with the family. The risk of doing so is too dangerous. Another surge of cases from winter vacation will be disastrous for our hospital system, and eventually more people will be with us in 2021. It means not being together. “

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was recently shipped on Sunday after receiving an emergency use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration to prevent COVID-19. In addition to the Pfizer vaccine, this is the second COVID-19 vaccine distributed nationwide.

Last week, LA County received the first shipment of Pfizer vaccine, and 82,873 doses were distributed to 83 emergency hospitals throughout the county. A second shipment of the 48,750 Pfizer vaccine will reach healthcare professionals in the emergency hospital this week. Public health expects 116,600 Moderna vaccine doses for this first shipment later this week. These vaccines are used to protect workers and residents of 338 skilled nursing facilities in Los Angeles County.

The Los Angeles County Public Health Service provides step-by-step and step-by-step instructions on the vaccination process. These are the phases adopted by the CDC to assist in prioritization when vaccine supply is limited. Phase 1A, Tier 1, are front-line healthcare professionals and long-term care facility residents. After all vaccinations in Group Tier 1 have been completed, you will move to Tier 2 and Tier 3.

Phase 1A, Tier 2 includes health care workers in immediate and home care services, community health care workers, public health staff, and health care workers in primary care clinics, orthodontic clinics, and emergency care clinics. I will. Phase 1A, Tier 3, includes healthcare professionals in specialized clinics, laboratory workers, dental and other oral care clinics, and pharmacy staff who are not part of the higher tier settings.

The advent of the Pfizer vaccine and the recent approval of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are highly needed at the end of the 2020 tunnel. AP photo

After Phase 1A is complete, the vaccination process proceeds to Phases 1B and 1C. Tier 1B is a person over 75 years old, firefighter, police officer, deputy security officer, teacher and school worker, manufacturing worker, correction worker, US Postal Service worker, public transport, grocery store worker Is an essential worker on the front lines, including. Tier 1C is a person aged 65 and over, and a person over the age of 16 who has a significant underlying health condition that can pose a serious health risk. This includes additional key workers not included in Tier 1B.

As of Monday, December 21, the LA County Public Health Service confirmed 56 new deaths and 11,271 new cases of COVID-19. The ICU was hospitalized with 5,709 COVID-19-infected persons, 21% of whom were hospitalized. Since the start of the surge in November, cases have increased by 650%, making young people the largest source of infection in the county.

Public health identified 634,849 COVID-19-positive cases in all areas of Los Angeles County, killing a total of 8,931 people.

The total number of cases confirmed in the laboratory was 634,849, 604,181 in Los Angeles County, 25,049 in Long Beach, and 5,619 in Pasadena. By race and ethnicity, the COVID-19 statistics show that: 944 American Indians / Alaskan Natives. 21,707 Asians. Black, 19,223; 256,345 Hispanic / Latino; 2,124 Native Hawaiians / Pacific Islands; 56,712 White; 60,392 and 186,734 other races and ethnic groups under investigation.

The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup has completed a review of the federal process and concluded that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for use in the Western Province. The workgroup provided confirmation to the Governor of California, Governor of Nevada, Governor of Oregon, and Governor of Washington earlier in the week.

According to www.ca.gov, the workgroup is made up of nationally acclaimed scientists with vaccination and public health expertise in the FDA’s actions related to COVID-19 vaccination. I agree. Other COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be evaluated as they go through the federal process. This statement was provided by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

“California is the darkest day of the COVID-19 surge and many families are saddening their lost loved ones, but there is light as more vaccines are approved for distribution. Moderna Vaccine There is another tool for fighting this deadly disease as it is in circulation. Lend time and expertise to help Californians feel confident in the safety and efficacy of these vaccines. Thanks to the best scientific experts in the country. This big step forward is welcome news for everyone who has experienced losses and difficulties during this pandemic, the ones we are thinking of during this holiday season. To stop the surge by having all Californians stay home and wear masks when leaving home for important work or needs until the vaccine becomes more widely available throughout the state. It’s important to play your part. “

For more information and statistics on COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, please visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/.