Warren County received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines for its healthcare professionals.
The Modern vaccine last week was distributed by the New Jersey Department of Health as part of its first wave of distribution, said Freeholder James R. Kern II, representative for public health and safety. A press release from Warren County’s free owners did not specifically state how many vaccines were received, but said the county expects another shipment next month.
The county, Kern said, will follow state and federal guidelines to help vaccinate those fighting the virus on the front lines. EMS staff and school nurses are expected to be among the first to receive the first round of vaccines, he said.
The county health department plans to notify EMS staff and school nurses directly through its squads and schools with information on how to schedule an appointment. Warren County Health Officer Pete Summers said he expected private providers, including pharmacies and hospitals, to join the effort.
It is not clear, however, when the general public will have access to vaccines.
A government advisory panel endorsed the second COVID-19 vaccine in mid-December, paving the way for the injection of Moderna to be added to the US vaccination campaign. The vaccine is said to be very similar to one from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech in Germany, which has also been given to millions of health professionals and nursing home residents as the largest vaccination campaign in the history of the United States grows.
As the initial supply is limited, federal and state plans require a layered approach giving priority to healthcare professionals who deal directly with patients with COVID-19. As more is manufactured, access to the vaccine will expand to other medical workers, people in critical occupations, the elderly and people with high-risk health conditions. Eventually, when these critical demands are met, it will be open to the general public.
“In the coming months, vaccination with COVID-19 will be the health department’s top priority and we will put all the resources we can to make the vaccine available to our community as quickly as possible,” said Summers.
The Warren County Department of Public Security has been working with local agencies to ensure that there is an accurate list of personnel who want to receive the vaccine, added Kern.
“Rest assured, we will continue to strive for more dosages for the county, our hospitals and private partners,” he said, noting that the county will provide information on when these sources will be available as quickly as possible, he said.
In the meantime, the COVID-19 test is available at units sponsored by Warren County in conjunction with St. Luke’s University Healthcare Network at St. Luke’s Belvidere Health Center, 187 Route 519, Belvidere and through other providers.
A list of other testing options is available on the county government website.
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