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On Thursday Stanly County Health Department began to administer the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine to eligible healthcare workers.

Patti Lewis, a nurse practitioner at Stanly County Health Department, was the first to receive the vaccine.

“I think it is critical to get this vaccine because we have had so many deaths because of COVID,” Lewis said. “We’ve got so many ICUs that are overrun and it’s put such a strain on everybody. This is a huge step to help reduce that.”

”Planning and logistics is crucial in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine,” Health and Human Services Director David Jenkins said. “Each vial of Moderna vaccine contains 10 doses and we must coordinate scheduling of 10 eligible people to receive it at our drive-thru site. Once we open the seal of the vial we have only six hours to administer it before it expires and [we] don’t want any to go to waste.”

Stanly County Health Department will continue to administer COVID-19 vaccine over the coming weeks and months. The focus is currently on vaccinating workers who fall under Phase 1a as designated by the state.

Groups will be vaccinated in the following phases determined by state guidelines:
• Phase 1a: Health care workers fighting COVID-19 and Long-Term Care staff and residents;

• Phase 1b: Adults 75 years or older and frontline essential workers;

• Phase 2: Adults at high risk for exposure and at increased risk of severe illness;

• Phase 3: Students;

Phase 4: Everyone who wants a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination.

Stanly County Health Department will notify the public when the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to them during each phase. You have a spot to get your shot.

You can stop the spread of the virus by following the three Ws:

● Wear a cloth face covering.

● Wait 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact.

● Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.