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Lieutenant governor visits Ephraim McDowell’s regional vaccination center

 

Ephraim McDowell Health welcomed Lieutenant Gov. Jacqueline Coleman today as she visited Ephraim McDowell’s Regional Vaccination Center. Lt. Gov. Coleman was instrumental in the state government’s decision to designate Ephraim McDowell as a Regional Vaccination Center.

“We are very pleased to welcome Lt. Gov. Coleman to the Ephraim McDowell campus,” said Daniel McKay, president and chief executive officer of Ephraim McDowell Health. “Our health care system is very appreciative of the actions taken by Lt. Gov. Coleman to allow us to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to the public. As a health care system that serves more than 120,000 people in a six-county area, we were very pleased to earn designation as a Regional Vaccination Center.”

Ephraim McDowell’s Vaccination Center is located on the second floor of the Gilcher Building (Surgery Center), 230 West Main Street, located behind the city parking garage. At the center, a team of nurses are providing the Moderna vaccine to individuals who have scheduled appointments. At this time, priority is being given to individuals age 70 and older, per the state’s vaccination plan.

During her visit, Lt. Gov. Coleman met briefly with members of Ephraim McDowell’s COVID-19 team who secured the resources and established the processes for the Regional Vaccination Center. That team is led by Jason Dean, executive director of Ephraim McDowell’s Clinical Effectiveness Department. She also chatted with individuals who were receiving the vaccine.

Ephraim McDowell expects to receive 300 doses of vaccine weekly for at least the next three weeks and anticipates that additional doses will be made available as vaccine supplies increase. Vaccines will be given only to individuals who schedule an appointment to receive a dose.

Most appointments have been filled, but Ephraim McDowell is also compiling a waiting list of individuals who want the vaccine. Individuals can join that waiting list by calling (859) 936-8350 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or by going to www.emhealth.org and completing an online form.

At this time, vaccines will be available for individuals in Tiers 1A (long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and healthcare personnel) and Tier 1B (first responders, anyone age 70 or older, and K-12 school personnel).

Gov. Andy Beshear and Kroger Health opened the state’s regional vaccination site at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Fayette County, as the state continues to ramp up its ability to vaccinate more Kentuckians. The first person to receive the vaccine at the horse park was Lincoln County resident Paul French.

Lt. Gov. Coleman had the honor of introducing the first person to receive their vaccination at the site.

“Today is another great day in the commonwealth because we take another step in defeating the coronavirus,” Coleman said. “I am honored to introduce Paul French, the first person to be vaccinated at the Kentucky Horse Park. Mr. French is a veteran, proud Kentuckian, father, and a grandfather. His Shot of Hope will ensure he can safely spend time with those who he loves the most.”

Today, approximately 600 Kentuckians are scheduled to receive their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Each week the site is expected to vaccinate more than 3,000 Kentuckians with the priority going to those who are 70 and older.

“This is an exciting day for Kentucky. Through this new and growing partnership with Kroger Health we will be able to vaccinate more and more Kentuckians as we receive more supply from the federal government. Our number one issue continues to be supply,” Beshear said. “We are on track to vaccinate Kentuckians faster than the federal government sends us doses for the fourth straight week. As we await more doses, we need everyone to know that they will get a turn and right now we’re prioritizing vaccines for Kentuckians who are 70 and older.”