Vaccine on the way

In the Texas Health and Human Services released on January 29, it is mentioned that “the state of Texas will receive 520,425 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government for the week of Feb. 1.

In an interview last week with the Journal-Sun it was mentioned by Keith Creel the Chief Operating Officer of Genesis Prime Care that 78 centers had yet to receive the vaccine. When asked about it, he said he received the “update during a Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) call last week (week of 18th). All though we are not sure exactly when we may receive the vaccine to distribute to the community, we are already working on plans to do so efficiently when we do receive them.”

That will soon change hopefully according to the Texas Department of State Health Services website as they have “instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship those doses to 344 providers in 166 counties across Texas. That includes 82 hub providers that will focus on broader community vaccination efforts including the hardest-hit populations and areas in exchange for a steady supply of vaccines from week to week. 262 other providers will receive doses next week, including more than 100 federally qualified health centers, community health centers, and rural health clinics that typically provide primary care for underserved populations.”

In the THHS release it is said that “the increase in vaccine available is due to two factors: a 30 percent increase in the number of Moderna doses being provided to the state by the federal government, and a one-time return of 126,750 doses of the Pfizer vaccine that Texas was required to set aside for the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.

The program overestimated the amount of vaccine needed, so doses are being given back to the states. DSHS is allocating the doses from the long-term care program to providers in counties where allocations have been significantly less than their share of the population, particularly in the suburban Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas.

In last week’s interview with Creel, he mentioned he believed that they would receive the Moderna vaccine, although like the release said, Creel mentioned “that it could change based on supply. The Moderna vaccine is a two shot vaccine with the second shot given four weeks (28 days) after the first.”

Creels believed the testing locally has been good, with the safety precautions they have in place. That said they plan to continue to expand their testing “at additional Genesis PrimeCare clinics, with the purchase of more equipment. Our testing procedure at our clinics is curbside meaning our patients do not leave their vehicle for the test. Our employees are strictly following the PPE protocols set forth by the CDC and we have an Infection Control Coordinator who oversees our coordination of these efforts. We have received very positive feedback from our patients regarding the current plan we have in place.”

Creel and the team of Genesis Prime Care continue to remain steadfast even with the obstacles both behind and ahead of them. “It has been and still is challenging. It has taken a lot of manpower to keep up with the ever-changing recommendations and equipment needed. It requires constant attention and focus to ensure we stay on top of the guidelines, PPE requirements, technology, and necessary education and training for our staff. As an organization, we have taken a lot of steps to ensure we keep our patients and staff safe. As we move forward, we will continue to stay ready for any new processes or treatments as they become available. “

We are living in unprecedented times says Creel, “we have been very fortunate as an organization to have experts on our team that has been able to guide us in planning, equipment and supplies procurement, and staff training. We have team members who consistently study and focus on the changes and updates being disseminated to the medical community so that we as an organization remain at the forefront of knowledge. In any given year, who you have on your team is very important. Throughout the past year, this has proven even more true and I am certainly thankful for our Genesis Primecare team. They have and continue to do a great job in serving our communities.”

The Journal-Sun will bring regular updates when new information is available from Genesis Primecare.

In a release from the Joint Operations Center in their Vaccine Update on 2-1- 21. “The Texarkana-Bowie County Family Health Center will continue taking names of individuals who want to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine.

Individuals can call (903) 255-5566 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to be added to a running list of people seeking a vaccination. The Health Center staff will continue to vaccinate the public based on qualifying factors of those on the waiting list as doses are received from the state.”

“Texas is currently in Phase 1B of the vaccination plan, which makes vaccinations available to individuals to people 65 and older, or 16 and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.”