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Health Systems Prepare For COVID Vaccine

A virus protein.
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As COVID cases continue to surge, local healthcare organizations are already looking ahead to vaccine distribution.

Southern Illinois Healthcare’s weekly briefing included updates on treatments, vaccines and COVID surges. While SIH has ICU bed available, Chief Nursing Officer Jennifer Harre said they are at capacity due to staffing constraints.

“As far as the number of staff, that number of staff that’s out continues to be pretty consistent, and that ranges from 40 to 50 nurses that are out with illness or COVID positive,” she said.

The hospital is planning to distribute vaccines to frontline healthcare providers as soon as they are available, potentially this month. Those working in highest risk areas would receive priority.

The vaccine most likely to be approved first, produced by Pfizer, requires ultra-cold storage. SIH said they do have the capacity for storage at the required temperature.

SIH officials say their overall COVID numbers have been holding steady, with an average of 50 to 60 COVID admissions and a positivity rate around 15 percent.. The majority of cases are coming from community spread.

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