Mahoning County, Trumbull Regional Get First Round of Moderna Vaccines

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Mahoning County Public Health and the Trumbull Regional Medical Center announced late Monday that they’ve received their first shipments of the Moderna vaccine.

MCPH received the shipment of 600 doses on Christmas Eve, reported Ryan Tekac, health commissioner, in an emailed response. The doses will be used for Phase 1A vaccinations, including those who are at greatest risk for exposure and transmission of COVID-19 because of their occupation.

Those individuals include emergency medical services workers, members of the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board and any health-care providers not vaccinated by hospitals or health-care systems, according to the release.

Clinics are scheduled this week for the EMS partners, and MCPH is working to schedule dates for two congregate care facilities that were unable to participate in the federal pharmacy program to ensure their staff and residents are vaccinated.

“We will continue to work with our Phase 1A recipients as vaccine is pushed out to us from ODH,” Tekac said.

At 10 a.m. Dec. 28, Trumbull Regional Medical Center received its first shipment of 300 doses of the Moderna vaccine, according to a hospital statement. Vaccinations began that day with employee and physicians vaccination clinics scheduled through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and as needed to accommodate all shifts.

The first round of vaccines will be given to front line staff and physicians, including those in the emergency department, critical care units and dedicated COVID-19 units, according to the hospital. Staff and physicians at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital are also scheduling vaccinations at Trumbull Regional.

On Dec. 23, Gov. Mike DeWine announced goals for the Phase 1B vaccine distribution, which will include adults working in schools and Ohioans who are 65 and older, according to the MCPH.

“We are excited to finally be on the offensive against COVID-19 as we have been playing defense for the past year,” Tekac said. “We are hoping to vaccinate everyone in our county who wants the vaccine, when the time comes. We appreciate the patience of our community as we are currently working through Phase 1A recipients.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.