A proud relative of a Disney employee helped obtain the COVID-19 vaccine for California healthcare professionals – East Bay Times

A 33-year-old woman reportedly working at Disney was booked for front-line healthcare professionals for a relative connection with Redlands Community Hospital in a Facebook post this week. Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 I was proud to have received the vaccine.

“When I woke up this morning, I didn’t expect to get the COVID-19 vaccine today. But it’s here. The Riverside woman wished good luck on Sunday, December 20.” Science This was a big problem for me because it’s basically my religion. “

She also posted a photo of a vaccination card from the Redlands community.

Family connection

When a Facebook friend asked how to get a vaccine that wasn’t open to the public yet, her husband’s aunt said it was a “big deal” in the Redlands community and the remaining doses would expire.

Women not identified by the Southern California newsgroup did not answer the phone or respond to Facebook messages asking for comment. Then she deleted the post.

Officials in the Redlands community explained in a statement how the remaining doses of the Pfizer vaccine were distributed, but how the recipients were chosen or who received them by women. I didn’t explain if I was inside.

“The Redlands Community Hospital has managed Pfizer vaccine allocations for front-line physicians, healthcare professionals, and support staff in accordance with California Public Health Service guidelines,” the statement said. “Some doses remained after the administration of doctors and staff who were interested in the vaccine. The reconstituted Pfizer vaccine is a valuable vaccine because it must be used or discarded within hours. Was given to frontline healthcare professionals several times to prevent it from being thrown away. “

On December 18, the Redlands community began administering the first batch of vaccines to frontline workers and support staff. The hospital did not provide specific information regarding the remaining doses.

The Pfizer vaccine should be stored at a temperature of -94 degrees Fahrenheit and administered immediately after thawing. Otherwise it will be wasted.

Who needs to get additional doses?

Vaccine vials usually contain 5 doses, but some may be given in 2 additional doses.

The Food and Drug Administration said in a statement on December 16 that all extras should be given. “Given a public health emergency, the FDA advises that it is permissible to use all the full doses (6th and possibly 7th) obtained from each vial while waiting for the problem to be resolved. We do, “said the statement.

Andrew Neumer, an associate professor of public health at the University of California, Irvine, said it was awkward for Riverside women to have access to one of the additional doses in the Redlands community for family ties. .. He said the hospital has an obligation to ensure that the vaccine is given properly and fairly.

“I don’t pass the odor test,” Neumer said. “Nurses, technicians, janitor and tidying teachers need to be vaccinated before random community members.”

David D, Senior Associate Dean at the University of California, Riverside. According to Dr. Lo, the CDC proposes to vaccinate front-line healthcare professionals first, and then vulnerable populations, especially residents of nursing homes.

“But after all, it’s still up to the state (deciding who gets vaccinated) and the individual place where the vaccine is given,” he said in an email.

The state says frontline workers are first

Alibay, a spokeswoman for the California Public Health Service, said there was no debate about who should be vaccinated first.

“Federal and state vaccine guidelines prioritize front-line healthcare professionals who are endangering their lives to fight the virus from day one,” she said. “We urge all healthcare providers to follow state guidelines for the vaccination phase developed in consultation with experts and local leaders.”

However, the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine in California is not without its problems.

On December 18, a frustrated doctor at Stanford University Medical Center Hospital made a noisy protest after the algorithm failed to prioritize most front-line doctors for the initial administration of the vaccine. The hospital has since apologized and agreed to revise the vaccination distribution plan.

Some may think that giving the first batch of vaccinations to non-frontline healthcare providers, such as politicians, is unwise or unethical, but it is not illegal and some There may be advantages of.

“When we see public figure vaccination, skeptics may induce vaccination and want widespread vaccination to achieve effective herd immunity.” He said.