First vaccines administered last week

by Dennis Rahm, photos courtesy of Lake Chelan Health

Lake Chelan Health administered the first round of COVID-19 vaccine last week. The hospital’s Emergency Medical Services team administered 40 vaccinations to front line medical staff including doctors and nurses.

Lake Chelan Health is an approved provider of the COVID-19 vaccine and began the process last week of administering the Moderna vaccine to Health Care workers.

EMS Director Ray Eichmeyer is heading up the vaccine program for the hospital and said health care workers and first responders comprise the initial group to receive the vaccine.

As of Tuesday of this week more than 100 vaccinations had been given to hospital staff as well as some providers at Columbia Valley Community Health.

All those vaccinated will require a second dose of the vaccine within 28 days of receiving their first dose.

Eichmeyer told LakeChelanNow that the hospital is required to give the vaccine in a certain way, to a certain population and at a certain time.

Dr. Megan Guffey (featured image top) and Ray Eichmeyer (above) were among those who received the vaccine this week.

The supply of vaccine is trickling in with 700 doses received

Eichmeyer goes on to say that Lake Chelan Health is taking the lead in supplying the vaccine to all of the approximate 500 firefighters and EMT’s in Chelan and Douglas Counties.

Plans call for drive through vaccination clinics to be coordinated for first responders with the first scheduled for January 2, 2021.

Work continues on planning the release of the vaccine to the rest of the population

As to when the vaccine will be available to the general public, Eichmeyer said there is no way to know for sure at this time, but that planning continues daily.

Lake Chelan Health will continue to monitor, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Public Health, the ongoing phases of the vaccine distribution plan and those details will be communicated to the public.

For more information visit the COVID-19 page at lakechelanhealth.org or follow their Facebook page for ongoing updates.

Jane Jedwabny

Jaime Minnock

Tobe Harberd