KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – As state and federal health officials finalize their plans for distribution of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine that is being manufactured in Portage, local hospital officials are planning to administer the first shipment to front-line workers as soon as possible
At Bronson Healthcare in Kalamazoo, Dr. Richard Van Enk, director of infection prevention tells WOOD TV-8 that vaccinating health care personnel is a crucial step to keeping the country’s medical systems operating.
“The people who will be asked to make their appointments first are people that work within Bronson Hospital that have the most contact with patients,” he said.
Bronson officials hope to begin vaccinations next week, and will hold clinics for its employees, similar to the way it provides flu shots every year
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevision will release detailed recommendations on who will be allowed to get the vaccine and when in the coming days. Michigan released its four-phase plan Friday, with health care workers and long-term care facilities will get vaccinated first, followed by other essential workers, and people who are at high risk of developing a serious case of COVID-19. Vaccinations for the general public are in the final phase of the plan.
