(Des Moines)– The President and CEO of Lakes Regional Healthcare was among those speaking today (Tues.) at a press conference held by Governor Kim Reynolds. Jason Harrington announced the first 300 doses of the Moderna vaccine are arriving today at Lakes Regional Healthcare, with another 200 doses expected early next week…
“We did an internal survey of our staff to see who would be willing to take the vaccine if it were offered and we had a 75 percent affirmative response rate from our staff so we were very pleased with that. So the plan locally is to vaccinate what I would consider patient facing healthcare professionals. In my particular hospital that would include obviously physicians, nurses, housekeepers, food service workers, receptionists, anyone who comes face to face with patients throughout the day would be in tier one.”
Harrington says other providers, such as dentists, would be next on the list…
“Our hope is by next week that we have vaccinated the vast majority of healthcare providers in Dickinson county, and then can move on to phase two which my understanding will include firefighters and teachers, law enforcement. And so we’re very excited about, and lots of excitement around here, about our ability to move forward with the vaccination, a lot of support.”
The Governor today (Tues.) said that while the state is currently trending in the right direction with hospitalizations and positivity rates, that Iowans still need to closely practice public health measures, especially during the holidays.
