COVID19 vaccine - What we know today...
Dear Pinon family,
In response to many inquiries and the growing interest surrounding a COVID19 vaccination, we’d like to provide an update with information that has been made available to us.
To begin, we are aware of four COVID vaccines that are in various stages of clinical trials. The clinical trials do not include pediatrics, pregnant and/or breastfeeding women. The dosing schedule may vary by manufacturer and some may be a two-dose series. Additionally, we are told the vaccine itself will be provided, free of charge by the Federal Government however, providers will bill for the administration.
To date only one of these vaccines (manufactured by Pfizer) has completed “phase 3” (and safety monitoring) and has officially requested Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP). The other three mentioned are in various stages of the clinical trial process and have not yet requested EUA approval. That said, there are still many logistics to work out beyond EUA approval. Those are being addressed nationally and by local state and county governing entities. Realistically, we believe we are still months away!
We do not have any data or information yet regarding vaccination of previously COVID19 infected patients and/or if antibody positive individuals should receive the vaccine. We are waiting on the ACIP recommendations, which may vary by vaccine.
What we do know today and believe will be the first COVID19 vaccine offered to select members of each community is the Pfizer vaccine mentioned above. However, this vaccine will not be available to us at Pinon Family Practice. Unfortunately, it must be stored at -70F and will most likely only be distributed to hospital facilities. Those details have not yet been provided.
As the governing entities work on a national and local distribution approach, supply and distribution will likely be prioritized into several phases of workforce, risk and disease factors. Pinon Family Practice will follow those guidelines for communicating and vaccinating our established patient population. We will be preparing a Critical Population analysis to determine who may meet certain guidelines and/or “phase” requirements set forth. PLEASE NOTE: We will reach out to you when we have more guidance and are near distribution. We are not developing wait lists or flagging patients by patient request.
While we are hopeful for the vaccine and anticipate its delivery, we want to urge you to not wait for the vaccine to slow the spread of COVID19. We strongly encourage you and your loved one’s to continue to limit interaction to only your household members, continue to wear a mask at all times, enter public areas only when its when it is necessary and wash your hands frequently. We know with the holidays approaching this can feel very lonesome and very frustrating! We share in those feelings and want you to know you are not alone. Please reach out to us if you’re struggling, our providers and staff are always available to you!
We are receiving updates daily about COVID19 and will continue to monitor and provide information as often as necessary. To stay up-to-date keep an eye on our website www.pinonfamilypractice.com/COVID19 or https://covid19.colorado.gov
In good health,
Pinon Family Practice, Providers and Staff