PEORIA, Ill. — The Peoria City/County Health Department announced Tuesday local hospitals are still awaiting their shipments of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.
“We don’t have shipping confirmation as of yet,” said Chief Nurse Officer at OSF Healthcare St. Francis Medical Center Jennifer Hopwood.
Unlike the process of receiving Pfizer’s vaccine, shipments will come directly from Moderna, according to Hopwood.
Hopwood also said about 10% of the workforce who come into contact with coronavirus patients at OSF St. Francis Medical Center and its surrounding locations received Pfizer’s vaccine last week.
OSF has used all of its two Pfizer vaccine shipments, according to Hopwood.
The Tri-County area is currently in Phase 1 of vaccine distribution. Within Phase 1, there are three tiers.
Tier 1a includes healthcare professionals, including direct and indirect patient care. Tier 1b includes frontline essential workers and individuals 75-years and older. Tier 1c includes the remaining essential workers and people between 65- and 74-years-old. 16- to 64-year-old individuals with high-risk medical conditions are also a part of this group, according to Hendrickson.
Vaccines are expected to arrive in long-term care facilities on Dec. 28, said Hendrickson.
