LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thousands of Kentuckians waiting to get their first round of the COVID-19 vaccine will have to wait.

What You Need To Know

  • Vaccine appointments have stopped because of lack of vaccine

  • Hospital systems say it is a simple case of supply and demand

  • Gov. Andy Beshear has requested additional vaccine from the federal government.

  • Hospitals urge patients to keep checking back to sign up

 

As health officials refine a complicated distribution strategy, hospital systems across the Commonwealth have reached appointment capacity, forcing them to suspend new appointments. 

Dr. Steven Hester, Chief Medical Officer with Norton Healthcare tells Spectrum News 1, ”We’re just in a national shortage and so as we continue to work through that it’s going to take some time.”

He says hours after opening up access to the coronavirus vaccine for people 70 years old or older as part of Tier 1B last week, it had already run out of appointment slots with over 40,000 requests.

“We're trying to set up based on vaccine about 7,000 a week. We had probably about 14,000 appointments that were scheduled,” explains Dr. Hester.

Similarly, two other major hospital systems in the area including UofL Health and Baptist Health are also not offering new appointments because the demand for vaccines is outpacing the supply.

“It’s going to take us a little time to get through everyone. Thus far, we’ve been successful in being able to begin working through all of our hospital employees,” says Dr. Jason Smith, Chief Medical Officer, University of Louisville Health.

However, health professionals note that any individuals who scheduled appointments to get their second dose of the vaccine should not be affected.

“We were doing everything we can to make appointments available. Obviously with the limited vaccine that makes it a little bit challenging,” says Dr. Hester.

Norton Health leaders said staff will resume scheduling new appointments as soon as it receives enough vaccines.

“We scheduled out a couple of weeks based on what we know is coming. So, we’ve got some vaccine coming in probably two weeks based on that and we’ll sort of continue to add more appointments as we go, adds Dr. Hester.

In addition, Dr. Hester says his staff is working to secure more vaccine doses as the supply continues to fluctuate which is designated by the federal government. 

Medical professionals say it’s their goal to get the vaccines out as quickly as they receive them.

“We’re really excited about that because I think that’s what’s going to help us get back to this pre-demic life is getting through this vaccination process,” explains Dr. Hester.

For now, health experts are urging patience as the state onboards more vaccines.

“We want folks to know as we get supplies we want to administer it. It’s just one of these things of patience is part of the process but make sure protecting themselves while waiting,” says Dr. Hester.

“The unfortunate thing with the way the phases happen is there are 100,000 people in that phase but have 10,000 vaccines a week. So, it’s going to be a slow process to get all those people signed up, but we will get to you, explains Dr. Sarah Moyer, Director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.

For the time being, the hospital systems are directing people to their websites for information about future vaccine appointments.

Demand for the vaccine is high and current appointments are full. 

To sign up for vaccines not only in Jefferson County but across the state, the state has set up a website where people can get information and sign up.  You can access that site here.  

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