he first shipments of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine rolled out of UPS and FedEx warehouses earlier this week and the first doses have been plunged into the arms of healthcare workers nationwide, to applause and fanfare.
But when will Llano County folks have access to the vaccine?
“To the best of my knowledge, the vaccine should be available starting in early January for EMS, first responders, healthcare workers and law enforcement officers,” said Dr. Jack Franklin, Llano County’s Health Authority and physician with Hill Country Direct Care in Llano. “We’re being told that vaccines to the general public should be available in early spring.”
So, how much will it cost?
Franklin said that it’s his understanding that the federal government pays for the vaccine but there might be costs associated with handling and giving the vaccine.
In a situation that seems to be constantly evolving, county officials have had to stay on their toes.
“We have multiple conference calls each week with the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Department of Emergency Management,” Franklin said. “We maintain those lines of communication so that we’re prepared for when the vaccine comes out.”
The Llano County Judge added that the amount and locations of COVID-19 vaccines in the state is determined by the EVAP, or Texas COVID-19 Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel.
“This panel is comprised of external and internal subject-matter experts (SME) who are tasked with developing vaccine allocation strategies as recommendations to the Texas Commissioner of Health,” said Ron Cunningham.
As of Dec. 14, there have been 585 COVID-19 cases in the county and six deaths. Llano County experienced a surge in cases last month when 200 positive cases were reported, according to the Llano County Office of Emergency Management.
Although some folks might be hesitant about taking the vaccine, Franklin was clear about his opinion on the matter.
“If this vaccine will end the pandemic, give it to me today,” he said.
The News sent questions to the two healthcare systems that serve Llano County residents but neither provided specific answers on when their employees would be receiving the first doses, what preparations are being made and if they have enough qualified staff members to administer the vaccine when it becomes available.
“Hill Country Memorial Immediate Care in Llano stands ready, safe and open to care for our community members Monday through Friday,” said Jennifer Page, Ph.D., marketing supervisor for HCM.
Page said that the HCM healthcare system has noted an increase in COVID-19 cases.
“With ongoing testing in the Hill Country region, the positivity rate outcome…has been around 19 percent, which has increased significantly over the last few months,” she said.
Baylor Scott & White operates three clinics in Llano County and a medical center in Llano.
“Our vaccination task force has been working tirelessly for months to ensure we are prepared to receive, store and safely distribute the COVID-19 vaccines, as soon as they are granted emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA),” said Gabe Martinez, Baylor Scott &White senior marketing and public relations consultant, in an email. “We are now coordinating the distribution of the first vaccine allotment, and we anticipate beginning to vaccinate Baylor Scott & White frontline caregivers who have opted in this week. Our caregivers are being strongly encouraged to receive the vaccine, and our intent is to provide it to every caregiver interested.”
