Monroe County officials say local plans for COVID-19 vaccine rollout are underway and will be submitted to the state next week.
This comes after promising results of three COVID-19 vaccine trials.
IU Health South Central Region President Brian Shockney says his hospitals have been informed they will begin receiving vaccines in mid-December.
He says it's a two-dose vaccine that requires 21 days between doses.
Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill says locally, vaccination plans will prioritize hospitals and healthcare workers.
“Hospitals are where our frontline workers are who have greatest exposure. So they will be first in line to get vaccine; long-term care workers, those essential workers,” she says.
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She says the vaccine will not be immediately available to everyone, so it is important to continue to follow local health regulations as the Centers for Disease Control recommendations.
Local officials noted Wednesday the role Bloomington company Catalent will help with development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Last June the company announced a deal to fill vials and package 100 million doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna last week announced trials have shown its vaccine to be nearly 95 percent effective in treating the virus.
Catalent also has a deal to handle fill-finish duties for Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 treatment.
