(RILEY COUNTY, KS – December 23, 2020) The first COVID-19 vaccine was administered by Riley County Health Department clinic supervisor Aryn Price yesterday.
Josh Gering, Paramedic and Assistant Director of Riley County Emergency Medical Services was the first to receive the vaccine yesterday afternoon as part of a drive-through clinic for front line medical staff. A second dose of the vaccine will be administered in about four weeks. Vaccines are not yet available for the public.
“I was willing and able, and excited to be a part of this,” Gering said. “I hope to demonstrate a brave face for the community and instill a little bit of public trust in this process because I think it’s something that we all need. It’s been a tough year and I’m looking forward to rounding this corner with the rest of you.”
200 doses of the Moderna vaccine were delivered to the Riley County Health Department Monday morning. A total of 150 doses were administered Tuesday afternoon, with the remaining 50 doses scheduled to be given to front line staff next week.
Over the next few weeks, Riley County is expected to receive additional shipments of the vaccine. Initial doses will be reserved for medical and front line staff according to KDHE guidance. Information about the availability of vaccinations for the public will be shared as soon as details are available. The health department does not know when the next shipment will arrive or how many doses will be included. It could still be a number of months before vaccines are available to the general public.
“Today brings hope as we gain an essential tool in the fight to stop this disease,” Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs said. “We must use this to move forward as we mourn the 20 people we have lost to the virus here in Riley County and the hundreds of thousands who have died in the US.”
For more information about Riley County’s response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, visit the Riley County website at www.rileycountyks.gov/coronavirus, follow RCHD on Facebook at /Rileycountyhealthdepartment/ and Twitter @RileyCoHealth.
