Preparing for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Park County
Cody, Wyo. December 1, 2020 –Cody Regional Health (CRH), Powell Valley Healthcare PVHC) and other local health agencies have been asked by the Department of Public Health to help vaccinate phase 1 individuals when a COVID-19 vaccination is released possibly before the end of the year 2020.
“We want to make sure the communities we serve understand this is a phased approach and we are waiting on direction from the Wyoming Department of Health,” states Bill Crampton, Park County Public Health Director.
“At Cody Regional Health, we are working on an internal prioritization list for all employees at Cody Regional Health. We’ve asked all service line directors to record a running tally of who is wanting the potential vaccine, who is unsure about receiving it, or does not want to receive and why. We want people to know this vaccine is not mandatory and we will be giving our team the option to receive it or not,” stated Laura Farnworth, CRH Employee Health Coordinator.
CRH is developing plans with Public Health for the administration of the vaccine to employees based on the prioritization list.
The state complete plan may be viewed at: https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/immunization/wyoming-covid-19-vaccine-information/
Below are the national phases of the vaccine plan:
In Phase 1, potentially limited doses of vaccine will be available and they will be targeted to those at highest risk and highest risk of exposure, first responders and healthcare workers who care for those with critical needs.
In Phase 2, large numbers of doses will be available, and supply is likely to meet demand. Educational efforts will target critical populations who were not vaccinated in Phase 1.
In Phase 3, there is likely to be a sufficient supply and all unvaccinated groups will be targeted. Special attention will be directed to populations or communities with low vaccine coverage.
For further questions about the COVID-19 vaccination please visit www.CDC.gov or call your local public health office.
