Individuals vaccinated by end of last week: 1,267
First dose individuals: 982
Second dose individuals: 285
We ordered additional frozen Pfizer vaccines last week for this week; however secondary to nationwide shortage of vaccination we did not receive the 195 vials of frozen Pfizer doses this week. We were told by the state that we are approved for 50 vials of refrigerated Pfizer that should be delivered this week. The refrigerated vials must be used within 5 days of receiving. The frozen Pfizer may be stored in our newly purchased ultra-cold medical grade freezer for up to 6 months. UCGH has monitored not only doses in NM, but Nation-wide and as a conservative approach, we have set aside re-vaccination dosages for this week and next in order to prevent mishaps that are now occurring in other communities of our state where they have not had enough doses to provide their communities re-vaccination doses.
We will continue to comply with the NM DOH Phase of administration. If any person who is 16 and above in Union County and wishes to receive the vaccine, please call Stacye Bradley 575-374-7004 or Dana Maez 575-374-2585 (ext. 7162) and leave a message. Call to save your place in line even if you are in the General Public Phase. As vaccines become available, staff will call the individuals on the list starting with the higher phases and moving down to the General Public as the state allows. We do not have an exact date of when the General Public will get their vaccines, this is dependent on the number of vaccines we are able to allocate from the state and when the state allows for later phases to open. However, we do move to a later phase in order to avoid any vaccine wastage, which is state allowed. We will contact individuals that are on our list.
If I have already registered on the DOH site for a vaccine, do I need to still call hospital to be placed on their list as well?
Yes, currently the hospital does not have access to the DOH Vaccine Finder site. We also believe that based upon how often the DOH is in Union County, that the Hospital may be slightly ahead of them on vaccine administration. Please call the numbers above and get your name on the Hospital’s list for your appropriate phase if you want a vaccine.
What are the side effects that UCGH has seen so far in the 1,267 individuals who have been vaccinated with the Pfizer Vaccine?
So far, we have only had soreness at the sight of injection that last less than a day with first dose administration. This is said to be similar to other injections such as Tetanus and B12 injections. We are seeing more fatigue, muscle aching and fever lasting about a day with the second dose administration.
What are the decision points to transition to other phases by the state?
While supplies are limited during the initial phases of vaccine distribution, several important principles should be followed to keep distribution flowing smoothly.
- Vaccination in one phase does not have to be complete before vaccination in another phase begins.
- Vaccination of individuals in different phases can occur simultaneously. Anyone from an earlier subphase should be allowed to receive vaccine during a later subphase.
- The timing of the transition between phases depends on several factors, and operations should be adjusted based on local context:
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- Supply of vaccine is based on allocation from the federal level to New Mexico.
- Capacity to administer the vaccine varies in different regions.
- Demand for vaccine and uptake rates differ across populations.
- Geographic dispersion and frontier areas affect access to the vaccine.
Union County General Hospital is dedicated to transparency and education, please see our web site and/or Facebook for additional information. We work hard to provide our community with ongoing information in many different forms of communication. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a question or a concern.
I would like to personally thank the staff and team at UCGH for the amazing job they are doing in order for not only the hospital to continue to run as seamlessly as possible, but to be able to offer these vaccines in the most timely and efficient manner possible. I have been on numerous calls with other healthcare CEOs around the state and they are not having the positive, seamless flow that we are seeing here at UCGH. This is 100% due to our great staff here and I personally am grateful for all that they do.
Thank you,
Tammie Stump, CEO
Union County General Hospital