Lassen County launches COVID-19 vaccinations
The COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Lassen County with healthcare providers and medical first responders receiving it first today, Saturday, Dec. 19. The Lassen County Public Health department will notify the general public when the vaccine is available after the vaccination of at-risk populations.
“Lassen County Public Health administered the first COVID-19 vaccinations to Lassen healthcare providers and medical first responders this morning! This is a critical step in curbing the spread of COVID in 2021. By offering additional protection to those individuals facing COVID-19 on a daily basis, we can ensure a safer workforce and additional preventative measures for our at-risk populations,” read a Saturday, Dec. 19 email from Health and Social Services Director Barbara Longo.
Lassen County Public Health Nurse Helen May holds the COVID-19 vaccine, which was administered to Lassen healthcare providers and medical first responders Saturday. Photo courtesy of Lassen County Public Health“We will notify the public when the vaccine is available to the healthy, general public as soon as we complete vaccinating at-risk populations. The vaccine is offered on a voluntary basis (and we) are not requiring or forcing anyone to take the vaccine,” the email continued.
Lassen County Public Health is following the California Department of Public Health’s allocation guidelines for COVID-19 vaccine plan. The CDPH plan outlines a phased approach to offering the vaccine. Lassen County is adhering to the CDPH recommendations, found here.
Lassen County is currently administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, according to the statement. This vaccine was released to health care providers this week. The Lassen County Public Health allocation is currently being stored at a Shasta County facility since the county does not have the equipment needed to store the vaccine for more than five days. The Lassen County Transportation Unit will pick up the vaccine and supplies as determined by Public Health. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine received FDA emergency use authorization today. The county department said it would learn more about its allocation and distribution timeline of this vaccine soon.
Find the fact sheets provided by Lassen County Public Health about both vaccines below.
fact-sheet-for-recipients-and-caregiversFact-sheet-recipients-caregivers-Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
