Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines arrive in Oregon
St. Charles Health System expects to receive its first 975 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Dec. 17, with vaccinations expected to start Dec. 21, according to a Dec. 15 press briefing. All 975 doses will go to St. Charles caregivers, and the State will send additional doses within 21 days, when the second dose is needed. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which already received emergency use authorization, and the Moderna vaccine, expected to be approved this week, require two doses.
click to enlarge
Unsplash
The Oregon Health Authority recommends hospitals prioritize staff with high COVID-19 exposure risk and those people critical for maintaining hospital capacity. To meet this request, St. Charles will vaccinate staff in waves, with more doses expected to arrive weekly. Even after they’re fully vaccinated, all hospital staff will continue to follow current COVID-19 guidelines, including wearing full personal protective equipment, St. Charles officials said.