Hutchinson KS – The first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Reno County on Wednesday, December 16. A collaborative effort between Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and the Hutchinson Clinic regarding storage, staging and immunization procedures will result in an efficient dissemination of the vaccine to frontline staff.
The first doses will be staged at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC) and will be administered by a team from the Hutchinson Clinic.
Approximately 200 doses of the vaccine were received at HRMC. The first vaccines were administered to; Kristy Sourk, a respiratory therapist in the Intensive Care Unit at Hutch Regional; Dr. Robert Sourk, a pulmonologist at the Hutchinson Clinic; and Dr. Humayun Ashraf, a pulmonologist at the Hutchinson Clinic. All three clinicians see COVID-19 patients daily in their practices and at the hospital, and the Sourks are married.
HRMC and Hutch Clinic employees have been pre-determined to be vaccinated based on the employee’s risk exposure to patients. The vaccines will be staggered between departments to guard against potential staffing shortages from employees who might be affected by mild side effects.
The recommendations of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are being followed:
Phase 1: Potentially Limited COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Available
Phase 1 of the phased approach for the Kansas COVID-19 Vaccine Plan will include Phase 1A and Phase 1B. While there are many unknown variables about the recommendations for use of initial vaccine in Phase 1, it is likely that vaccine will be available as follows:
Phase 1A:
- Healthcare personnel paid and unpaid, who are likely to be exposed to or treat people with COVID-19 or infectious materials and are unable to work from home.
Phase 1B:
- People at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including those with
underlying medical conditions such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, heart conditions, obesity, sickle cell disease,
smokers or those with a history of smoking, and type 2 diabetes.
- People 65 years of age and older
- Other essential workers
- Long-term care residents
Initial COVID-19 vaccine provider recruitment and enrollment will be targeted at hospitals, local health departments, federally qualified health centers/safety net clinics, and retail pharmacies across the state, including those that are in rural areas, that are willing and able to provide vaccine to those identified as targets for early vaccine receipt.
HRMC and the Hutch Clinic are very excited to begin this phase of the fight against COVID-19, which hopefully will signal the beginning of the end to the pandemic and its effects.
For More Information:
Chuck Welch
VP of Business Development
Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System
620-665-2445
Sue Wray
Director of Communication
Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System
620-665-2419
