The COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available.
CHI Oakes Hospital is closely following the progress of vaccine development for COVID-19. We are preparing to receive and distribute vaccines as they become available. It is possible that the FDA may issue vaccine Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in December. Vaccine distribution plans will be determined by the FDA, CDC, and state and local health departments – including how and when CHI Oakes Hospital will receive vaccines, how many doses will be available, and who should receive the first doses. Our expectation is that the vaccine will be distributed in phases, beginning with a limited number of doses in December 2020. Vaccines may be more widely available by spring or summer 2021.
Additional information will be provided here when it becomes available.
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, Frequently Asked Questions are available on the CDC website and FDA website.
FAQs
When will the vaccine be available?
An exact date of when the vaccine will be available has not yet been determined. We expect the FDA will issue an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) very soon. After the EUA, vaccine distribution and administration can begin.
Is the vaccine safe?
At CommonSpirit Health, safety is our priority, and we only administer vaccines that are proven safe and effective.
When can I get the vaccine?
Initial supply of a COVID-19 vaccine may be limited, and federal guidelines indicate that health care workers should be among the first to get the vaccine in order to ensure health systems are able to continue to provide care through the pandemic and beyond. Additionally, first responders and employees and patients in long-term care centers and other similar facilities will also likely receive the vaccines first, when they are available. We expect that vaccines may be widely available by spring or summer 2021.
Where can I get the vaccine?
Initially, a limited number of provider sites will be available to administer the vaccine. Check with your physician’s office for more information about provider sites near you.
How is the vaccine given?
Both vaccines currently under review for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) require two doses, administered three or four weeks apart.
Is the vaccine safe for children or pregnant/nursing mothers?
There is not enough information available to know whether the vaccine is safe for pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children.
Where can I get more information about the vaccine?
For additional information on the COVID-19 and the vaccine approval process, we recommend reviewing the FAQs on the CDC website and FDA website.