On Monday, December 21, 2020, Audubon County Memorial Hospital and Clinics (ACMH) received the first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, and has been administering to eligible healthcare personnel according to the CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued COVID-19 vaccine distribution guidance which directs jurisdictions to plan for a three-phased approach to vaccine distribution.
The first group of eligible persons to receive the COVID-19 vaccine are healthcare workers as well as Long Term Care Facility (LTCF) residents.
Dr. Stephanie Vampola was the first person to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Audubon County. Dr. Vampola and Dr. Jeff Maire along with ACMH, frontline healthcare employees received the vaccine on Monday. Other healthcare workers in Audubon County that work in home health, pharmacies, emergency medical services, and public health also received the COVID-19 vaccine through Audubon County Memorial Hospital and Clinics. These first recipients were excited to take this step towards defeating the pandemic.
Currently, ACMH does not have any COVID-19 vaccinations available to the general public. ACMH will be sure to inform the community about the process when the vaccine does become available to the general public.
At this time, it is important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic. ACMH recommends that you continue to cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others, stay at least 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often.