Local plans for coronavirus vaccine distribution are still firming up.
Perspectives from Newman Regional Health Chief Executive Officer Bob Wright and Lyon County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director Jennifer Millbern came through separate interviews on KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday. Wright says having vaccines almost ready to go is exciting, but he says people need to keep several things in mind with doses almost at hand.
The current plan is to vaccinate front-line healthcare workers and nursing home residents first. Millbern says vaccinations for the general public may be several months away.
As many as 150,000 doses may be in the state by New Year’s Eve through Pfizer and Moderna if both companies get emergency use authorizations this month as expected.
This comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance on close contact quarantine periods, saying people can end quarantine after seven days if they have no symptoms and have had a negative COVID test or 10 days with no symptoms and no test taken. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, however, is still recommending a 14-day quarantine because the virus can present at any time through the quarantine period.
