The first local distribution of COVID-19 vaccines could be given to healthcare workers at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center by Thursday, Dec. 17.
The hospital anticipates receiving its first round of a limited allocation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine some time on Thursday, from the regional distribution point in Gunnison. It will begin vaccinating frontline and health care workers that same day. Officials said the plan completely depends on pending vaccine delivery confirmation from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
HRRMC Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Allison Gergley said if all goes as planned that day, injections could begin shortly after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, stored at very cold temperatures, is allowed to thaw.
CDPHE’s vaccine distribution plan in separated into three main phases, with phase 1 divided into phase 1A and phase 1B. Phase 1A includes highest-risk healthcare workers; they are the tier of Coloradans to receive the vaccine first.
HRRMC will be partnering with Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) to utilize the medical expertise of health care providers in the county, who are identifying high-risk patients who would fall into phase 1A.
Contact information from the general public looking to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is not currently being recorded nor scheduled by either organization. If members of the public are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in the future, they are encouraged to make an appointment with their primary care provider.
HRRMC’s initial COVID-19 vaccine allocations will be of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, followed by a smaller allocation of the Moderna vaccine the week of Dec. 21. Each brand of the vaccine requires two doses for efficacy. The number of vaccine allocations HRRMC receives is pre-determined by CDPHE.
For additional information on COVID-19 as it pertains to HRRMC, please visit hrrmc.com.
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