Over 200 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given out in the past week to Henryetta area residents.
The first doses were given at Hillcrest Henryetta Hospital with staff and administrators taking the shots.
“We will have more vaccinations available, said hospital administrator Dee Renshaw. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccinations are being given now but Renshaw said the facility only had a limited amount in the initial shipment.
Storage restrictions on the Pfizer vaccine make it impossible for the hospital to keep quantities on hand. The hospital does not have the ultra-cold storage units required since Pfizer must be kept between -176 and -76 decrees Fahrenheit.
He said the vaccine also must be mixed with a saline solution prior to being administered. There are five doses per vial and, once mixed, the solution can only be kept for five days.
Renshaw said there have been no side effects reported from that initial round of vaccinations. A second dose must be given 21 days after the first.
On Christmas Eve, staff and patients at Fountain View Manor nursing home received their vaccinations.
Fountain View administrator Jennifer Munholland said patient records were studied before the vaccine was administered. Residents and staff members who have had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine ingredients were warned against receiving the shots.
The rollout of the two vaccines are being made available first to all healthcare personnel and staff and residents of long-term care facilities.
