Redding Public Health Advisory: COVID Cases, Vaccine Distribution Phases, Volunteers Needed

This Public Health Advisory is courtesy of Doug Hartline, RS, Redding Health Officer and Dr. Lawrence Leibowitz, Redding Director of Health.

According to the CT Department of Public Health, the average positivity rate from 12/13 to12/26 in Redding was 4.6.  The rate per 100,000 from 12/13 to12/26 was 25.8. It’s too soon to see the expected effects of the holiday. Additional data can be found at townofreddingct.org.

The Vaccine

The vaccine will not be widely available to the general public until summer or fall; public health measures (distancing, masks) remain as important as ever. The demand for vaccine is currently outpacing the supply, however, once other vaccines have made their way through the approval process (Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, and Novavax) and made available, the supply will eventually outpace the demand.

The State of Connecticut is not mandating vaccination, however, the more vaccinated the more the COVID spread will decrease and the quicker COVID will be in our past, and then we can begin a gradual return to social activities, sports, entertainment, etc…

People who have had COVID are advised to get vaccinated because you can catch it more than once. You might have some short-term antibody protection after recovering however we don’t know how long this protection will last.

While you still have some protection from COVID-19 after the first shot, you will not receive full benefit of the vaccine until roughly 10-14 days after your second shot. The Pfizer second dose is 3 weeks from the first and the Moderna vaccine is 4 weeks from the first.

None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use or in development in the US use live virus that cause COVID-19.

Circulating rumors that the vaccines cause infertility are unfounded based on current evidence.

Vaccine Distribution Phases

Contrary to our previous advisory, there are now four distribution categories, 1A, 1B, 1C, & 2. Although not finalized the categories are shaping up as follows:

1A: Eligible individuals in Phase 1A include healthcare personnel, long-term care facility residents, and medical first responders. Connecticut is currently in Phase 1A of the roll-out. Redding fire, EMS, school nurses, and police are in the process of receiving their first dose, along with Meadow Ridge long-term care residents and health care workers. Most in phase 1A have received the Pfizer vaccine which requires a second dose 3 weeks after the first. Sometime in January or February we are hoping phase 1A will round the bend and we can start to think about Phase 1B.

Phase 1B – Final guidance for Phase 1B & 1C is due out sometime next week. It’s estimated that category 1B will likely include those in the critical workforce along with individuals 75 and older.

Phases 1C – This phase will likely include individuals 65-74, other essential workers, and persons aged 16-64 with medical conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19.

Phase 2 – This category includes the general public. Predictions vary from summer to fall of 2021 as to when this group will receive the vaccine. This very much depends on vaccine availability and how many take it.

Redding and Bethel Partnered

The Redding Health Department is partnered with the Bethel Health Department and the joint effort is known as the Bethel-Redding COVID Vaccination Program. The Redding Community Center will be the primary vaccination site for Redding and the Municipal Center for Bethel. All available outlets (Redding Town website, social media, news media and email blasts) will be used to inform the public as to who is eligible to sign up for the vaccine and how and when to do so. Keep in mind we are still in Phase 1A and will be for a month or two.

The best way to stay informed is by subscribing to “news & alerts” on the town website https://townofreddingct.org/subscribe/. Fill in your information and then click on the lowest box for “news & announcements”.

Volunteers Needed

We are looking for licensed nurses and doctors to help out at the vaccination clinics. Volunteers are also needed for registration and general assistance. If interested contact the Redding Health Department at 203-938-2559 or health@townofreddingct.org.

We Need Your Cooperation

For those who test positive we need your complete cooperation when receiving a call from our contact tracer. The purpose of this interview is to stop the spread.  When someone is COVID positive and is around friends and family, everyone in their vicinity could get sick and unknowingly spread it to others. We’re looking to break the chain of transmission.

 

R
Submitted by Redding, CT

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