LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This week, we learned how Gov. Andy Besehar plans to distribute the first round of coronavirus vaccines, should the FDA issue Emergency Use Authorization. Now, one of the top doctors in the state and local leaders are weighing in.
What You Need To Know
- COVID-19 vaccines are on the cusp of initial distribution in the U.S.
- Kentucky could receive doses as early as Dec. 15
- Hospitals and long-term care facilities will receive top priority
- Experts expect widespread availability by May or June
Gov. Beshear said vaccines could be available to top priority Kentuckians as soon as December 15, pending FDA approval. Local leaders across the Commonwealth, like Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, are gearing up for a speedy roll-out.
“As soon as it gets approval by the FDA, we can start administering the vaccines within the hospital environment. The long-term care facilities are going to take just a little longer simply because of the logistics of vaccinating people, but it will follow very shortly thereafter,” Fischer said.
Beshear said 11 Kentucky hospitals are poised to receive the initial doses. The governor said the following hospitals are on the list because they are large enough to receive Pfizer's minimum shipment amount. They also have the ability to store Pfizer's vaccine, which requires an extremely low temperature.
- Mercy Health Lourdes Hospital in Paducah
- Pikeville Medical Center
- University of Kentucky Hospital
- Baptist Health Madisonville
- Baptist Health Louisville
- St. Elizabeth Healthcare Edgewood
- Baptist Health Corbin
- Baptist Health Lexington
- Norton Hospital in Louisville
- Medical Center at Bowling Green
- University of Louisville Hospital
Every hospital will receive 925 vaccines except University of Kentucky and Norton Hospital, who will receive double that amount. Another 25,000 vaccines will be shipped to long-term care facilities. Dr. Jon Klein, UofL School of Medicine Vice Dean for Research, said vaccinating nursing home residents will likely also alleviate some strain on Kentucky hospitals.
"There are a couple benefits of focusing on long-term care facilities. If a lot of admissions come out of long-term care, which they do, then we also by immunizing those people first we begging to build that wall around our hospitals," Klein said.
Klein said vaccines will make a big difference, but only for key groups at first. He said in the next few months, vaccines could spell major improvements for healthcare systems, nursing homes and for people over 65-years-old.
As for when there are enough improvements across the board to make a return to life as normal, Klein said be patient.
"It is going to be a slow, incremental process. We will see some improvements by summer. The question I always get asked is when are we going to get back to normal? I think the complete 2019 normal, I think it’s going to take at least another year. I really do,” Klein said.
The FDA is set to meet Dec. 10. If the FDA approves Emergency Use Authorization, Kentucky could see Pfizer shipments by Dec. 15.