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STEUBENVILLE -- With U.S. approval of the first vaccine for COVID-19 late Friday and multiple vaccines completing successful trials, the focus all over the country -- and world -- is turning toward distribution.
Locally, hospitals are preparing.
In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine has laid out a phased plan for vaccine distribution, with limited early quantities meaning certain "critical populations" will get priority in receiving the vaccine first.
In Phase 1 of Ohio's plan, front line health care workers who care for COVID-19 patients and the "most at risk" will be the focus.
According to Laurie Labishak, marketing director for Trinity Health System in Steubenville, the hospital has been preparing for the vaccine.
"We are following the guidelines set by the state," she said. "We have a priority list of how folks will receive the vaccine. We're not sure when we are going to get vaccines just yet, but our freezer is in place. We are prepared to receive the vaccine, possibly as early as the end of next week. That depends on how it is being allocated across the state and that is being handled at the state level."
She pointed out that while it will be optional for employees, it will be recommended they receive the vaccine.
"Health care workers will have the option to take the vaccine first. It will not be mandated, but it is recommended for health care workers," she said. "We're excited about getting it, and most of our health care providers, physicians and leaders of our organization all plan to get the vaccine.
"As health care workers, we understand the reality of the vaccine and the necessity of it to help reduce the incidence of the virus in our county and our area."
The vaccine will not be available to the general public until phases three and four of DeWine's plan.
Labishak knows the importance of it getting to those in health care early on.
"Health care is on the forefront of taking care of people with COVID," she said.
Phase two of Ohio's plan is to distribute the vaccine to more "critical populations" as more quantities of the vaccine become available.
According to a release from the Ohio National Guard, its members are working on logistics planning for distribution with the Ohio Department of Health, as they have been throughout the pandemic on things like personal protective equipment.
On the West Virginia side of the river, Weirton Medical Center officials said they also are making preparations.
According to Kelli McCoy, communications director at WMC, the hospital has been working with the state on planning.
"WMC and all West Virginia hospitals are working with the state emergency preparedness coordinator on vaccine distribution," she said. "The state has established the list of priorities for the first vaccine distribution which include caregivers and workers in the areas of emergency, intermediate and critical care, COVID units, respiratory and airway management, such as anesthesia.
"WMC will be provided with vaccine to cover the hospital workers in those areas. The vaccine will arrive in several allotments, as it becomes available. We are prepared to administer the vaccine in the time frame identified by the manufacturer."
McCoy added that employees in the those departments have been contacted and the hospital is prepared to vaccinate "those who have expressed an interest in participating."
Weirton Geriatric Center also received good news regarding early vaccine distribution.
"We have been selected for Week 1 distribution," said Rhonda Quatrrochi, the center's administrator. "That will be next week, but we do not have an exact date or a time yet. It's very exciting. It's my understanding the state is distributing the vaccine, and the National Guard will be distributing it to Weirton.
"It will be given to both the staff and the residents. It's very important to hopefully curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus."
She said the center is partnering with Tri-State Pharmacy on its portion of distribution.
(Grimm can be contacted at agrimm@heraldstaronline.com)