Covid-19 vaccine is administered to four hospital workers in Ventura County

Four frontline hospital workers were given the first covid-19 vaccine shots on Dec. 16—the individuals are scheduled to receive a second dosage in the next 21 days.
“This is indeed a momentous day in our county. And we are, in fact, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now, but we are still in that tunnel,” Dr. Robert Levin said via a Zoom conference.

Levin said the vaccine is similar to a tool used to fight in a battle. Rigoberto Vargas, public health director, announced there were 4079 new covid-19 positive cases (on Dec. 16). He said 800 out of every 100,000 residents are getting tested which is a great step forward. There are 241 hospitalized residents and three new deaths from the virus. The three individuals were two females and one male all 61 years or older.
“Before the vaccine is available for the general public, it is months away from now. The earliest would be probably April or May perhaps. So we can’t rely on the vaccine alone. It is a great tool but it is in short supply,” Vargas said.
He encouraged residents to flatten the curve, stay home and wear their masks as the vaccine slowly is administered throughout the county.
More than 4,000 additional doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine are expected by Friday, according to updates given at a Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday.

Once the individuals are given the first dose of the vaccine, the Centers of Disease Prevention and Control will reach out to them every day for six days. The CDC will report and monitor any side effects or symptoms from the individuals. Then the CDC will reach out to them once a week for six weeks.
CEO of the county, Mike Powers later said that as the frontline hospital workers get vaccinated it’s residents jobs to keep the covid-19 cases and hospitalizations at a lower rate. He advised residents to reimagine and be creative with ways to virtually celebrate during the winter holiday season.
“With that, at the Ventura County, we’re excited to celebrate here with you today our journey, and please continue to take care and have a safe and happy healthy holiday season,” Powers said during the press conference via Zoom.

By Gabriela Miranda