SWFL health systems look toward receiving COVID-19 vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine is starting to be distributed in its first phases nationwide. We looked at the time frame for major health systems in Southwest Florida to receive it.

Lee Health in Lee County says Monday it expects to get the coronavirus vaccine next week. The health system will give it to staff in the emergency department, COVID-19 units and ICU first.

NCH Healthcare System in Collier County and Fawcett Memorial in Charlotte County say they are still waiting to hear when they will get the vaccine.

Shipments of COVID-19 vaccines arrived at some Florida hospitals to start the week, which is a glimmer of hope for many.

“Today was really a historic day,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

“Today we have hope on the way,” said Alex Azar, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Hope arrived in the form of Pfizer’s vaccine doses. Nearly 20,000 doses went to Tampa General Hospital, and 100,000 doses will be in five Florida hospitals by Tuesday morning, with 60,000 more heading to CVS and Walgreens pharmacies for long-term care facilities.

“This is a really significant milestone in terms of combating the coronavirus pandemic,” DeSantis said.

It’s a milestone many in Southwest Florida have been waiting for.

“Of course, everybody is excited,” Dieter Conrad said. “As soon as it’s available. I’m 73, so I guess I should get it.”

Some say they are still skeptical about getting the shot.

“I am eligible this week actually,” said Andrew Holzhauer, who was visiting from Connecticut. “I am a firefighter up in Connecticut, and a bunch of us still aren’t sure about it.”

“I don’t want to be first in line just in case there are side effects and things, but I think it would be a good idea; get back to freedom,” said Julia Moore, who was visiting from Connecticut.

Although we are one step closer to regaining some sense of normalcy, doctors say we still have months to go before it’s safe to stop masking and social distancing.

“In order to feel safe and get back to normal, we would need to have about 80% immunity in the community where you live for you to be most likely protected from getting infected with COVID-19,” said Dr. Rebekah Bernard, the president of Collier County Medical Society.

We will likely reach that herd immunity percentage in the summer as the vaccine becomes available to more people.

The FDA will go over the Moderna vaccine Thursday. Gov. DeSantis says he anticipates we will receive between 300,000 and 400,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine at the beginning of next week.