Coronavirus vaccines are nearing approval and Delaware is fine tuning its plan to distribute its share of doses.
Coronavirus vaccines could be approved for use in the United States in just a few weeks, and plans are already being put in place to determine who gets priority for receiving doses.
High priority groups include healthcare workers and the eldery. In Delaware, the Division of Public Health has a multi-stage plan that phases in more people as more doses of the vaccine become available.
Medical Director Dr. Rick Hong says the rollout will depend on how many doses the First State gets from manufacturers.
“As more vaccine becomes available the general public will have increased access to the vaccine. So, based on the projections we’re looking at spring from the general public.”
Hong says this is all dependent on vaccine production. If the state gets more than anticipated, it could fast-track the distribution process.
“There could be simultaneous vaccinations of multiple phase groups. And I think that’s important to note because again our goal is to get the vaccine out to as many people as possible. So it’s really gonna be dependent on what resources are available as well as how much vaccine we’re getting at a time.”
DPH already launched a vaccine website for both the public and medical providers to get information about the rollout.
Hong says his team is working on gathering testimonials from members of the public who have gotten the vaccine to dispel myths about vaccine safety and efficacy.
With that in mind, public health officials say it’s important to continue to follow state guidelines for social distancing and mask wearing.
Those who get the vaccine early could still carry the virus and pass it to people not yet vaccinated.
