KENTUCKY — There is a new focus from the federal government to get the COVID-19 vaccine out to as many people as possible.
The Biden administration has ordered an additional 200 million more doses of the vaccine than previously requested. The question now is how efficient will the new administration be with supplying the current stockpile of vaccines to the country.
With the increase in the amount of available vaccines, UK Healthcare is extending their vaccination hours by five hours to allow the clinic to vaccinate more Kentuckians. So far, according to the state' flagship healthcare system, over 12,000 people have been vaccinated. UK HealthCare is offering both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines. During this In Focus Kentucky segment, Crystal Sicard shares this update from Lexington.
Also - Health Commissioner Doctor Kraig Humbaugh is a guest during this segment. Hambaugh has led the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department through the pandemic over the last 11 months and he talks through some of the science surrounding the novel coronavirus, and discusses his role as co-organizer of a Vaccine Task Force to help streamline distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Kentucky’s second largest city.
"I think maybe this misconceptions have to do with the side effects that surround the vaccine and the vaccines ultimate effectiveness. So, there are very few side effects with the vaccine. Like other vaccines common side effects are redness, swelling at the side. But, severe reactions to the vaccine are very uncommon," explains Dr. Humbaugh