Vaccinations may be reaching a milestone soon as the coronavirus response effort continues in Lyon County.
Lyon County is in Phase 1 of its vaccination process, meaning shots for healthcare workers, critical-response workers and long-term care facilities. Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director Jennifer Millbern says local health officials are now planning to finish out Phase 1 vaccinations soon.
The Kansas vaccination plan differs somewhat from the plan approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in that there aren’t several steps to the first phase. At last word, Newman Regional Health had administered around 570 initial doses and completed the two-dose process for almost 170 staffers, while Public Health had administered almost 210 initial doses with final doses starting soon. Clinical staff at Emporia State University, Flint Hills Technical College and USD 253 Emporia, along with staff at the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, have also received initial vaccinations.
Phase 2 is for people aged 65 and over, high-contact critical workers and congregate settings are next. Millbern says the goal is to start Phase 2 vaccinations simultaneously across the state, and that could happen within the next two weeks or so.
Plans for vaccinating people in the remaining three phases are less clear on the timing side. Phase 3 is for people ages 16 to 64 with severe medical risks and other critical care workers. Phase 4 is for people ages 16 to 64 with non-severe medical risks. Phase 5 is for the rest of the population, with child vaccinations subject to further research on risks and effectiveness.
Newman Regional Health will offer an update to its vaccination status report and plans on the COVID-19 Community Briefing at 8:20 am Monday on KVOE and KVOE.com.
Kansas Vaccination Plan courtesy Office of the Kansas Governor
{gallery}KS Vaccination Plan{/gallery}
