Starke County residents have gotten COVID-19 vaccines during the vaccination clinics this week at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center.
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch said 70 Moderna doses were administered Wednesday and 80 Moderna doses were administered Thursday.
The second round of doses has a 28-day wait time from the time the first dose is administered. The appointment to receive the second dose is typically set at the time the patient has the first dose.
Lynch stated that the Moderna vaccine is stored frozen. Once it is thawed in the refrigerator, it can be held for up to 30 days. Once a vial has been punctured, it needs to be used within six hours. He stressed that no doses have been wasted.
Residents who are 70 years of age and older may sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine online at www.ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211. Lynch said most health departments are taking names for reserve lists if doses are still available after a clinic is finished. The vaccination clinic is open Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday hours will be available in the next two weeks.
Lynch commented that the volunteers in these clinics are doing a great job in assisting with the process. The volunteers are medical professionals and they are members of the community who have a desire to help neighbors in this pandemic. They help register patients and guide them through the clinic in an orderly fashion. If time allows, they assist people in making appointments that are having problems getting registered.
Starke County EMS Director Travis Clary said he helps Lynch at the clinics as well as other members of the EMS staff.
Those wishing to help can call the Starke County Health Department at 574-772-9137 and leave a message.
Over 300 people in Starke County have been vaccinated which include healthcare professionals, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, EMS staff, and those over the age of 80.
