ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When it comes time for a widespread release of the COVID-19 vaccine, health officials in Pinellas County say the rollout could look similar to what we have seen the last few months at the state-run testing sites.
The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices said residents in nursing homes and frontline health care workers should be the first in line to receive the vaccine when it becomes available. By the spring, the goal is that the vaccine will be more readily available to the general public.
Many county health departments are working with the state to prepare now.
“That might be one of the easiest ways to do it initially when we have the first rush, is to actually have a vaccination site set up or multiple vaccination sites like we have with the testing locations right now,” explained Tom Iovino, spokesman for the Pinellas County Health Department.
The ultimate goal is to have the vaccine available in pharmacies and doctors offices, just like the standard flu shot.
When the #COVID19 vaccine first comes out, the priority will be nursing homes and health care workers. But after that, how does the average resident go about getting the vaccine? I asked the Pinellas County Health Department @BN9
The answer here –> pic.twitter.com/AhGeEuYoTy
— Angie Angers (@angie_angers) December 7, 2020
In the meantime, Iovino says they are working to lay the infrastructure. The state has already purchased a large number of syringes, gloves, and materials required to give vaccinations so avoid a potential shortage.
“Most of these vaccinations are two-dose vaccines,” Iovino explained. “You don’t just get a single shot, you need two that are spaced out. When the first dose comes out, say for example there are 20 million available, that means only 10 million people can get fully vaccinated.”
Iovino says he expects access to the vaccine to be very limited for the first two months, but hopes it will become available to most or all residents by the spring.
“Getting the vaccine into people as quickly as possible in the ultimate goal,” he said.
The state has identified Tampa General Hospital as one of the first sites that will receive the vaccine. That is expected to take place mid-December.
