HomeMy WebLinkAbout01092021_Roye Response_COVIDFrom:Tom Locke
To:Karen Abbott
Subject:Fw: JCPH has received your letter
Date:Monday, January 11, 2021 7:55:06 AM
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From: Tom Locke
Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2021 1:41 PM
To: krillroye
Cc: Liz Anderson; Veronica K. Shaw; Vicki Kirkpatrick
Subject: Re: JCPH has received your letter
Mr. Krillroye,
Jefferson Healthcare and Jefferson County Public Health have moved very aggressively to
procure allotments of Pfizer vaccine and to set up the complex ultracold storage and handling
protocols necessary to assure it maintains its full potency. A four lane drive thru facility has
been constructed (requiring trenched power and an indoor structure to accommodate
refrigeration units and the complex data entry required). We anticipate a capacity to
immunize 300 or more people a day while maintaining necessary pandemic control measures.
Jefferson Healthcare also moved rapidly to identify all 1a candidates in Jefferson County. As of
Friday morning, Jefferson Healthcare had received two Pfizer shipments (1950 doses) and
administered 1139. The remaining 811 doses are being used to complete the 2nd dose series
on the first group vaccinated. After much confusion at the State level (which was withholding
the "booster dose" shipment), JHC has been assured that 2 more shipments of vaccine will be
sent. This will allow completion of the second dose on those immunized so far and provide
around 1000 doses to begin 1b Tier 1 vaccinations. Vaccination priorities are set by the
Governor and local hospitals and health departments are bound by these restrictions.
Jefferson County was one of the first counties to receive vaccine and has administered 100%
of its initial allotment. Statewide only 30% of delivered vaccine has been administered.
Once additional vaccine is received (hopefully on Monday), the 1a group can be completed
(we estimate around 70% of those eligible will take advantage of this opportunity). Phase 1b
Tier 1 is comprised of all residents 70 years of age and older AND those 50 and older who are
members of "multigenerational households". This second category is ill defined and the
Governor's office is working to create a more precise and understandable definition. Their
intent is to vaccinate the caretakers of frail, elderly family residents who are homebound and
at high risk of COVID complications. Only caretakers over age 50 will be eligible. As you note,
1b is a large group in Jefferson County. Our intent is to start with residents over 85 and move
as quickly through the age tiers as possible. COVID mortality is strongly linked to age,
especially in those over 80.
As vaccine supplies increase, we will ramp up our distribution network, adding pharmacies and
conducting "mass vaccination" events around the County, likely in school gymnasiums or
outdoor shelters. Volunteer physicians, nurses, and medical assistance are being organized
and trained to assist with these future events. Current projected vaccine distribution would
not allow this scale of vaccination until March or later. This timeline could change
considerably if the Biden administration decides to release more vaccine.
Please be assured Jefferson County is moving very rapidly while maintaining the necessary
quality and safety standards necessary for a vaccine released under an Emergency Use
Authorization. I know of no other County who has vaccinated this high a percentage of their
1a candidates this rapidly. Unfortunately, the federal program to vaccinate long term care
facility residents and workers has been very slow to start. To speed it up we have vaccinated
long term care facility staff in addition to everyone else. The best way Jefferson County
residents can assist in this effort is by limiting the spread of COVID-19. We are experiencing a
post-holiday surge in cases caused by travel, out-of-county (and state) visitors, and holiday
gatherings where several households mingle. Everyone is tired to the restrictions imposed by
the pandemic response. All will be necessary well into the Spring and Summer.
Websites are being developed to provide accurate, up-to-date information on vaccine supplies
and which priority group is being vaccinated.
Tom Locke, MD, MPH
Jefferson County Health Officer
From: krillroye <krillroye@aol.com>
Sent: Friday, January 8, 2021 10:28 AM
To: Liz Anderson <LAnderson@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Subject: Re: JCPH has received your letter
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Greetings again Liz,
It is with great interest that I read Nick Wietmeyer's piece in the Port Townsend Leader dated
1/7 titled “Vaccination plan is a successful call to arms”. However the piece raises someessential questions that cast some doubt about how successful that effort has in fact been.
The fact that only 60% of the “1A” group of 1,400 has been vaccinated so far can not really becalled a resounding success. This group is a well defined, almost captive group that should
have been able to have been vaccinated very readily. It is not a good predicate for the nextgroup, “1B” , which is likely to be more than 10,000 which by the State standards published
today are to be competed within the month of January. A vastly better effort will be requiredto meet that goal, and that does not seem to be well prepared for, especially as only three
weeks remain in which to accomplish that task.
The paragraph in which he reported that Jefferson Health Care received a second shipment of
vaccine December 22nd, but did not know exactly what to do with is is very distressing.. This
is inexcusable at this stage of this deadly pandemic, and must be examined more fully.
The statement that they are not pushing to receive more vaccine until they are given the nod tobroaden the recipient criteria is equally disturbing. It is essential to be proactive rather than
reactive, as time is the enemy, both in terms of people's health and the local economy.Yesterday the state declared exactly what that broader recipient criteria is to be---all those over
70 years of age and certain critical workers over age 50. In Jefferson county that is about10,000 people. 37.9% of Jefferson county's population is age 65 or older---the highest such
percentage in the state.. Within Port Townsend itself it is much higher. Jefferson Health Care,according to the article, “anticipating that (next phase) being individuals over the age of 75
“and essential workers has already proven to have been wrong. If the entire 10 months of thispandemic has taught us anything at all, it is that we must not simply wait for the situation to
clarify, or for instructions from elsewhere. That has been the history of our national effort allalong. We must anticipate our needs, and be ready to meet them in advance.
The notion by the hospital that it “wouldn't be fair for us to see that second shipment” is
absurd. In order to manage to vaccinate more than 10 times what has already beenaccomplished, in little more time than has already been consumed to do the first group, it will
clearly require that no time whatever be lost waiting for the next shipment. To be “awaitingword” for what the next step will be is exceptionally poor management in time of a pandemic.
This will only forestall the implementation of the next phase, putting it dangerously behindschedule. As of yesterday, according to the WA Department f Health, that next phase, “1B”, is
supposed to be underway right now and competed by the end of January.See: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Articles/ID/2555/COVID-19-vaccine-distribution-
update-from-the-Washington-State-Department-of-Health
This is not an ordinary business “just-in-time-inventory” situation. Nor is it an order fromAmazon for some new dinner ware. This is a deadly pandemic affecting a disproportionately
high percentage of the population of Port Townsend. To sit around waiting for instructions is adereliction of duty of care of the medical community. There is an old expression that my
father taught me he learned in combat in Europe in WWII: “In a crisis, look for a leader. Ifyou can't find a leader, become one.” The local officials must lead, not sit content to wait.
Mark Roye
Port Townsend
360-390-8311
-----Original Message-----
From: Liz Anderson <LAnderson@co.jefferson.wa.us>
To: krillroye@aol.com <krillroye@aol.com>
Sent: Tue, Dec 15, 2020 4:27 pm
Subject: JCPH has received your letter
Good afternoon Mark,
Thank you for writing in. I apologize that we were not responsive via our e-mail links. Can
you let me know where you were attempting to e-mail so I can fix the issue? At any time,the public can e-mail us directly to info@jeffersoncountypublichealth.org.
I have read over your letter and wanted to let you know that we are doing our very best to
navigate through this process.
With that being said, below is the best absolute answer that we have so far. I have
published to our website today:
The current Washington state interim COVID-19 vaccination plan is available here:
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/WA-COVID-19-Vaccination-Plan.pdf
This is an interim draft plan and only 1a priority group has been finalized for purposes
of vaccine administration.
Please do not contact your health care provider or Jefferson County Public Healthregarding your eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine at this time.
Find detailed information about phase 1a priority groups here. Supplies of vaccine will
increase in coming months and vaccination will be offered to additional priority groups.
Eventually, vaccination will be available to everyone. Check back with us in 3 weeks forupdated information. (posted 12/15/2020)
Thank you again for writing in and please contact us if you have any more concerns at
info@jeffersoncountypublichealth.org,
Liz
Liz Anderson
Gender Pronouns: she/her/hersWeb Maintenance & Digital Communications Specialist, Public Health AssistantJefferson County Public Health615 Sheridan StreetPort Townsend, WA 98368 360-385-9400 x405landerson@co.jefferson.wa.us | https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/
Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Jefferson County
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