Tahoe Forest Health System Prepares for COVID-19 Vaccine

With recent news of the first COVID-19 vaccine, the community may have questions about what we know so far about the COVID-19 vaccine and its availability to the local Truckee/North Lake Tahoe community.

The national COVID-19 vaccine roll-out is in the early stages, and supplies of the vaccine are very limited.  Healthcare workers and Skilled Nursing Facilities are the first group to receive the vaccine, and others, including community members, will be in the months ahead with no date known at this time. As production and availability of the vaccine increases, we anticipate being able to offer the vaccines more broadly under appropriate public health guidelines. As hospitals help to vaccinate a greater percentage of the population over the next several months, it is vital that all California residents remain vigilant about adhering to stay-at-home orders, as well as masking and social distancing.

Over the coming weeks, California’s hospitals will begin the complex work of receiving, storing, and administering the state’s first COVID-19 vaccinations. The number of doses California receives is set by the federal government. For the initial rollout, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has determined allocation to each local health department, and local health departments further refine allotments to local hospitals. Questions about allotments to each county and how supplies are allocated should be directed to CDPH or local health departments.

The first doses — as determined by CDPH — will be given to those at risk of exposure through their work in any role in health care or long-term care settings, including in non-clinical roles; residents of skilled-nursing facilities and similar long-term care settings for older or medically vulnerable individuals; paramedics and others providing emergency medical services.

The importance of vaccinations in stopping the spread of COVID-19 cannot be underestimated. Vaccination is a powerful tool for halting this deadly disease. It provides health care workers with an important level of protection, in addition to personal protective equipment and other steps hospitals take to protect caregivers.

While getting the COVID vaccine as soon as possible is the safest choice for most people, trials testing the vaccine in pregnant and breastfeeding women have not been completed. The information in this brochure will help you make an informed choice about whether to get the COVID vaccine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you have additional questions, please schedule and appointment to discuss your concerns with a healthcare provider by calling (530) 582-6205.

Stay informed about the vaccine with more information from Nevada, Placer and Washoe counties as noted below, as well as www.tfhd.com. Tahoe Forest Health System services are open, safe, and we are here to take care of you. Please don’t delay needed medical care. We strongly encourage mask-wearing, physical distancing and hand-washing as prevention measures to stay healthy during this time.

For additional information on COVID-19 vaccinations:
CDC:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
CDPH: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx
FDA: https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/counterterrorism…

Nevada County: https://www.mynevadacounty.com/3148/Vaccine-Information
Placer County: https://www.placer.ca.gov/coronavirus/vaccine
Washoe County: https://covid19washoe.com