Page 7 - Florida Sentinel 12-18-20

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Tampa General Hospital Receives First Shipment Of COVID-19 Vaccine
Tampa General has been chosen as one of five hospi- tals to participate in the state’s pilot program for the distribution of the Coron- avirus vaccine because of the large population TGH serves and its ability to maintain ultra-cold storage of the vac- cine.
On Monday, Tampa Gen- eral Hospital received 20,000 doses of the Pfizer two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, as part of the state’s pilot program to fight the global coronavirus. Tampa General has assembled an internal task force committee of ex- perts to develop the process for vaccine distribution in ac- cordance with Centers for Disease Control recommen- dations.
The initial shipment of vac- cine was given to health care
workers battling COVID-19 on the front lines. Guidance by the CDC indicates com- munity access to the vaccine will be available around the Spring of 2021 depending on vaccine production levels.
In the initial phase and in accordance with federal guidelines, the COVID-19
vaccine stored at Tampa General will only be available to TGH physicians and staff at greatest risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the work- place.
If the vaccine supply re- ceived allows for it, once the initial group of TGH workers have begun to receive the
vaccination, TGH will supply partner hospitals: Ad- ventHealth, BayCare, Bayfront, HCA and Moffitt, with the vaccine for their first phase group of healthcare workers.
The Pfizer vaccine re- quires ultra-cold storage (- 80 degrees Celsius/-112 degrees Fahrenheit) to main- tain maximum effectiveness. Tampa General’s pharmacy currently utilizes three freez- ers, allowing TGH to safely store a total of 510,000 doses of the vaccine at once.
The hospital will not act as a vaccine distribution site to the community in this initial phase as directed by the CDC. To support the needs of the local nursing homes and long-term care facilities, the state has contracted with both CVS and Walgreens to
administer vaccinations to those patients as well as the health care workers who pro- vide their direct patient care. The second phase of vaccina- tions is expected to begin in early 2021 and, if supply is sufficient, will apply to: Ad- ditional Tampa General physicians or health care workers in direct patient care; Persons over 65 with underlying health condi- tions; First responders; Law enforcement; and Essential workers including teachers, childcare providers, and food distribution employees.
It is expected that the number of COVID-19 cases will continue to rise, poten- tially to yet unseen levels, in December and into the new year. It will take months to vaccinate everyone in the community.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 7-A