Overton Health Department Expects First Wave Of COVID Vaccines

As final COVID vaccine approvals are conducted, Overton County Health Director Andy Langford said the first round of doses could be near.

“I do believe that probably sometime here in the month of December we will have a small amount of vaccine that will be coming to Overton County,” Langford said. “Be it through Phizer, Moderna or both.”

During Monday’s Overton County COVID update, Langford said not all details of distribution are available. Langford said the county will likely follow the state’s distribution phases when the time comes.

Right now, healthcare workers, first responders and nursing home staff are among the first to receive the two stage shot.

“I can’t tell you how that will come down how that will be dropped shipped yet,” Langford said. “We are working on vaccine storage plans, distribution, safety and education materials for the public. Getting all these logistical items in place as much as we can, but remembering we have had constant calls on this and also meetings. It seems like when we have something in place, it turns around and changes or tweaks a little bit too.”

Langford said the health department is also exploring creating vaccine cards to help with the administering stages.

“Once we do see this first wave of vaccine come in, one thing that needs to be remembered is this is a two shot, two dose vaccine,” Landford said. “The Phizer vaccine after 21 days you are eligible to get your second dose, and then the Moderna will be 28 days after you get that first dose, you will be receiving your second dose. Keep in mind that if you get one of these vaccines, you will need to get the same type of vaccine. You will probably go to the same place you got it. All of this will have to be kept up with paperwork wise. This will have to be a big logistical event and organized.”

Langford said COVID immunity will come approximately seven days after the second dose. Langford said the next step for now is to start educating the community as more information comes in.

“We are going to get into these type of things and educate the community when we have more information on that,” Langford said.