MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – In Mon County, 766 people received the COVID vaccine Thursday at the National Guard Readiness Center, according to Health Officer Dr. Lee Smith.
“We were given 625 doses, but when we reconstitute many times we get additional doses out of the vial,” Dr. Smith said,” So, we always have a minimum number, but we don’t know what the maximum is. Seven-hundred sixty-six is a high water mark for us.”
The rate of vaccination has increased steadily since the first delivery. The process has become more efficient due to support from area organizations, setting up dedicated phone lines for appointment and the waiting list and the help of the National Guard.
“We’re more organized, so we have increased numbers of people who register folks,” Dr. Smith said,” That’s always a pinch point where things tend to slow.”
Vaccine delivery has been the unknown part of the equation. The incoming supply from the federal government is not certain making it difficult to give people in other eligibility groups a timeline for their first dose.
When events are announced appointment slots fill quickly and those who don’t make it spill over into the waiting list. The waiting list begins to fill appointment slots for the next event creating frustration for residents.
“In the Phase I we still have first responders, EMS and law enforcement and others that need to finish,” Dr. Smith said,” Then move into healthcare workers and school staff.”
High demand for the vaccine has resulted in a partnership between many different organizations to build a bigger infrastructure. Larger, more frequent events are possible that could reduce some frustration.
“We’re working with Mon Health and some others to try and figure out how we can have additional sites,” Dr. Smith said,” So, we can have vaccinations going on at several places.”
President-Elect Joe Biden’s plan to release all the vaccine in the national reserve raises concerns about being able to have adequate supply for the second dose.
“Do we have the ability to backfill those second doses? It’s great to get shots in arms, and we’re all about that,” Dr. Smith said,” But, the first vaccine probably only gives about 50 percent protection and it’s the second dose that gets you over the finish line.”