After several days of waiting while other counties around the state received their first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Vermilion County Health Department has received its first shipment.
Administrator Doug Toole says the county health department has received 500 doses of the Moderna vaccine as well as the necessary syringes, alcohol prep-pads, PPE and vaccination reminder cards.
500 doses were sent to the Vermilion County Health Department. An additional 900 doses of the vaccine will be shipped to the county’s two hospitals. OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville will receive 500 doses, while Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center will receive 400 doses.
The Danville Veterans Affairs facility received a shipment of the Moderna vaccine last week that was administered to employees.
The first round of vaccines will only be available to healthcare workers. Toole says members of the general public will only be able to receive the vaccine once everyone in priority groups receive it.
The second group that is eligible to receive the vaccine is frontline workers, such as teachers, county employees, law enforcement and corrections officers and food-service workers. Seniors over the age of 65 and adults with vulnerable health conditions will be the third group of people to receive it.
Toole says healthcare workers and first responders should be able to be vaccinated at the Vermilion County Health Department next week.
