NCH set to receive COVID-19 vaccines for its frontline workers

NOTE: The COVID-19 vaccine is NOT currently available to the general public.

The NCH Healthcare System says it’s set to receive its first batch of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

NCH said Monday 2,600 vials of the Moderna vaccine will go to its NCH Baker Hospital, and 2,300 vials will go to NCH North Naples Hospital.

NCH does not know when its hospitals will receive the doses expected, but it could show up as early as the end of Tuesday. Other hospitals in the state and the region are also expected to receive Moderna COVID-19 vaccines soon.

“By the end of today, we should have 367,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine,” said DeSantis during a press conference.

Lee Health said Monday it expects Cape Coral Hospital to receive a shipment of Moderna vaccines Tuesday as well.

In Florida, frontline workers will be the first to receive the vaccine. An exact timeline of when the vaccine will be available for the general public has not been established.

The FDA approved emergency-use authorization of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine last week. Data has shown that the vaccine has an efficacy rate of 94.1%. The vaccine requires two injections given 28 days apart.

Three other hospitals in Southwest Florida are set to receive the Moderna vaccine for their frontline workers:

• Englewood Community Hospital, 700 Medical Blvd, Englewood, FL 34223
• Fawcett Memorial Hospital, 21298 Olean Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33952
• Park Royal Mental Health Hospital, 9241 Park Royal Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33908