Healthcare officials in Marion County are working with their counterparts across the state on strategies for the upcoming release of COVID-19 vaccines.
That’s according to Mark Lander, administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Marion County, who spoke before the Marion County Commission on Tuesday morning. He said FDOH has convened a statewide planning group to assist with those strategies in anticipation of one or more vaccines being released later this year or in early 2021.
Lander said several promising vaccines developed by Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are going through Phase 3 trials. But he said the challenges that lie ahead will be things like rapid administration, multiple vaccinations and the need for ultra-cold storage facilities.
Lander said a big challenge will be those vaccines that require more than one dose. He said some require a second shot 21 or 28 days later, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will require just one dose.
Lander said another challenge will be the need for ultra-cold storage for the doses. He said some require minus 20 degrees and others could require minus 60 to 80 degrees. He added that he’s working with a multitude of local healthcare officials to make sure those facilities are available when a vaccine finally becomes available.
Another issue to overcome with vaccine doses, Lander said, could be a timeliness factor. For instance, he said one that’s being developed could have to be administered within a six-hour period. So if that vile contains 100 doses, those would have to be given in the correct timeframe to make sure they don’t expire and are wasted.
Lander also reminded commissioners that flu season is beginning and projections show the potential for a mild season, largely because of COVID-19 precautions – social distancing, face masks and hygiene awareness – that are taking place across the country. He added that residents also should get their flu shots because it can reduce the burden on hospital systems in the event of another COVID-19 outbreak.
As of Monday, Marion County was reporting a cumulative total of 9,969 COVID-19 cases, with 305 deaths and 986 people hospitalized. Commission Chairman Kathy Bryant offered condolences to those who have lost family members and friends to the virus, with Lander adding that his department “wears everyone on our shoulders.”
Bryant also offered praise for the hard work Lander and his staff have done on the COVID-19 crisis since the virus first hit Florida in March, noting a marked decrease in new cases over the past several weeks. Lander offered praise for the community as well, pointing out that unlike after Memorial Day, his staff didn’t see a spike in new cases following the recent Labor Day Weekend.
“We are getting through it,” he said.
“Our community is doing well and will continue to do so,” Bryant added.