Vermilion County has its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine, as employees at the Danville V.A. began receiving vaccinations on Wednesday.
Melissa Spady, public affairs officer for the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System, says the Moderna vaccine arrived at the center today, and staff started being vaccinated as well.
“V.A. Illiana Health Care System is eager to offer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to health care personnel and our community living center residents,” said Shawn Bransky, director of the Danville V.A. “Receiving the vaccine is like having hope delivered. As vaccine supplies increase, our ultimate goal is to offer COVID-19 vaccination to all veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.”
Spady says the Danville V.A. is one of 113 Veterans Administration facilities across the country receiving the Moderna vaccine. It was recently approved for emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, with trials showing it is 94 percent effective. The vaccine will be administered in two doses, 28 days apart.
V.A. care teams will reach out to veterans to schedule vaccinations once more doses are shipped to Danville. There is no need to pre-register or come to a facility to sign up.
Even after they receive the COVID-19 vaccination, Spady says employees and veterans should continue wearing face coverings, practicing physical distancing and washing hands often.
