Gov. Jim Justice said 8,300 West Virginia residents age 80 and over have received their first dose of vaccination for covid-19 since he announced last week that age group would be an immediate priority.
“I flat guarantee you we saved lives. We saved a potful of lives right there,” Justice said today.
The governor announced last week that residents 80 and older would be eligible for vaccinations right away, prompting long lines at local health departments. Since then, most health departments have moved to appointments with some saying they have already run short on supply.
“I think we’re trying to go to an appointment situation until we really are absolutely comfortable that we’ve got enough vaccines,” Justice said.
State officials acknowledged that distribution has seemed out of balance so far but said that will be adjusted.
“Until this levels itself out, as we get the processes in place, there will be some — probably what would look generally to somebody — uneven distribution, said James Hoyer, the retiring adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard.
He added, “People over the age of 70, in particular, are really interested in getting this vaccine.”
State officials were asked today about some octogenarians continuing to wait for vaccine supply while elected leaders and government staff have gone ahead with vaccinations.
“This is a balancing act,” Hoyer said. “We make recommendations to the governor to take care of our most vulnerable population, to take care of our continuity of government and economy.”
Lee Smith, the chief health officer at the Monongalia County Health Department, said notification came down at noon five days ago that vaccine supplies would be available for those 80 and older. The supply to Monongalia was 100 doses of the Moderna version of the vaccine.
“As we went through the holiday weekend, it was apparent that doing it on a first-come, first-serve basis would not be in the best interest of individuals,” Smith said today on MetroNews’ “Talkline.”
So a phone line was a established to make appointments. “Things went extremely fast. It was like giving out tickets to a concert,” Smith said.
The department swiftly booked 100 appointments and has a waiting list of 150 more.
“People should not despair that they didn’t make the initial cut of 100 doses,” Smith said. “We have been told this will be an ongoing supply.”
Dr. Lee Smith, Executive Director and Health Officer for Monongalia County, talks with @HoppyKercheval about the vaccine distribution to those 80+. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIRZCB pic.twitter.com/TlCgyU8h31
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) January 4, 2021