First Shipment Of COVID-19 Vaccine Arrives In Kendall County

KENDALL COUNTY, IL — The Kendall County Health Department has received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

According to the statement from the health department, it received 400 doses of the vaccine and will transport them to county healthcare providers who will assist in the administration of the vaccines. The initial vaccine shipment will be used to provide the first vaccine doses to healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized use of the vaccine on Dec. 18, through an emergency authorization after conducting a thorough evaluation of the available safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality information.

Health officials said it will take several weeks for the vaccine to reach healthcare personnel throughout the county.

"This is a historic and hopeful time for public health. The arrival of the vaccine means we are at the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic," RaeAnn VanGundy, health department executive director, said in the statement. "Until we receive enough vaccine for the general public, it is imperative that we each do our part in protecting our families, friends and co-workers by wearing masks, practicing physical distancing, handwashing and avoiding in-person gatherings. These preventive measures will be especially important to follow during the holidays and the months to follow."

There will be a very limited supply in the beginning. As a result, vaccines will be prioritized for:

• Healthcare workers – particularly those who treat or transport COVID-19 patients. Hospitals will vaccinate their own employees. Kendall County Health Department will work to vaccinate those unaffiliated health care workers, including EMS.
• Residents and staff at long-term care facilities. Long-term care facilities are part of a federal program that works with pharmacies to vaccinate residents and staff.

Vaccine supply is expected to continually increase in the weeks and months ahead, health officials said. In preparation for more vaccines becoming available, the health department is working with IDPH to implement a state-wide vaccine registration and scheduling tool. This will aid in the vaccine distribution process moving forward.

For more information, visit www.kendallhealth.org