Coronavirus vaccines are coming to Newman Regional Health this week.
Director of Business Development McKenzie Cinelli confirmed the hospital will get a shipment of the recently-approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, although there is still no word yet on how many are coming to Emporia and when they will arrive.
Kansas anticipates 24,000 doses in the first round this week and up to 150,000 doses in the state by Dec. 31.
Round One goes to high-risk health care workers, according to Pharmacy Director Ashley Edwards. She says it’s an important first step in treating the community as a whole.
Plans for treating the community are developing. Cinelli says a lot has to do with how many vaccines come to Emporia this month.
4:30 pm Monday: Newman Regional Health to get Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine this week
Newman Regional Health will be among the first medical facilities in Kansas to receive the coronavirus vaccine approved late last week by the federal government.
The hospital prepared for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by purchasing and installing an ultra-cold storage freezer on site before the Food and Drug Administration gave emergency use authorization to the drug.
The current plan has just a few details firmed up — as in the vaccine is coming this week and will be distributed to medical personnel. Those staffers are being prioritized for treatments based on the amount of contact or potential contact they have with coronavirus patients.
The amount of vaccines coming to Newman Regional Health and other medical facilities across the state is not being announced at this time. Kansas anticipates 24,000 doses in the first round this week and up to 150,000 doses in the state by Dec. 31. These medications will be for healthcare workers and long-term care residents and staff.
Both the Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine, which may get emergency use authorization later this month, are two-dose medications with the second dose needed between 21 and 28 days after initial dosing. Unlike the Pfizer medicine, the Moderna version does not need ultra-cold storage to maintain its effectiveness.
