State health officials say Delaware is prepared to distribute a coronavirus vaccine once one gets federal approval.
State Division of Public Health (DPH) Director Dr. Karly Rattay says DPH has been working for months on the logistics of distributing a vaccine. But she adds they face some limitations since it’s not clear what type of vaccine will be approved.
“Little by little we get more information about what to expect. For example, one particular vaccine needs to be stored at a very, very low temperature—negative 80 degrees,” said Rattay. “So as we learn more, from a logistics perspective we start incorporating more detail into our plans.”
Gov. John Carney noted at Tuesday’s coronavirus update conference that the vaccine has been a top subject during recent governor calls to the White House, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials have assured governors that any approved vaccine will be safe.
Rattay was appointed to the top spot at DPH in 2009 and led the state’s effort to distribute the vaccine for the H1N1 swine flu. She says Delaware’s plan for distributing a vaccine is mostly in place and will be submitted to the CDC in the next 30 days. She adds one of the greatest challenges, as with H1N1, will be prioritizing who gets the vaccine in its early stages before it’s widely available.
“It’s always important that you vaccinate your frontline healthcare workers and first responders as early as you can, because we have to keep them safe and functioning,” said Rattay. “But also, highest risk individuals—so those over age 65. Vulnerable populations in long-term care facilities are going to be really important to get the vaccine to as soon as possible.”
The CDC met Tuesday to consider how to prioritize distribution of a future coronavirus vaccine.
Rattay says the amount of vaccine to get to Delaware in the early stages will likely be very limited. But she adds she expects the state will eventually have adequate vaccine to roll out a phase two of the distribution plan, making the vaccine available to all Delawareans.
