Both Missoula hospitals have received their initial doses of the COVID 19 vaccine from Pfizer.

KGVO has received this message from Joyce Dombrowski, Chief Executive of Providence Montana.

Providence St. Patrick Hospital has received the State’s initial round of 975 COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines. 

For many months, Providence Montana has been working with local, state and federal public health authorities to help ensure a smooth rollout of the vaccine. Our team has been meeting regularly to prepare for its arrival. As part of that planning, we have put strategies in place to receive and distribute the vaccine, which includes safe and appropriate measures for cold storage.

In keeping with recommendations from the CDC, we will offer first access to those caregivers at highest risk of exposure based on their role and where they work. The first round of vaccines will be administered on Thursday, Dec. 17. All of our caregivers will eventually have access to the vaccine, although we expect it will take several weeks to vaccinate our 2,500 caregivers.

Vaccines are not yet available for the general public. We will continue to share information as it becomes available.

In the meantime, we encourage our community to continue to support public health and the work of our incredible caregivers: wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands often.

Public Information Officer for Missoula Community Medical Center Megan Condra sent the following information:

We can confirm that we have received an initial allocation of 975 COVID-19 vaccines. We will begin distributing them on Thursday, December 17 in accordance with prioritization guidance from the CDC, the federal government and Montana DPHHS. We have prioritized frontline staff and Missoula Emergency Services personnel followed by our clinical and non-clinical staff and medical staff. Once the vaccine becomes more broadly available, we will strongly encourage our community to get vaccinated. We will continue to work closely with the Health Department, Providence St. Patrick Hospital and DPHHS on distribution of future COVID-19 vaccine doses.

The Pfizer vaccine must be delivered in two doses spaced 21 days apart.

 

 

 

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