Gov. Beshear, first lady, health leaders receive COVID-19 vaccination

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Tuesday morning, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack received a COVID-19 vaccination, along with Governor Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear.

“We have a safe vaccine that is going to help us defeat COVID-19,” said Gov. Beshear.

Their vaccinations follow the first vaccinations in Kentucky on Dec. 14, when the first round of hospitals began receiving and administering 38,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to front-line health care workers. On Monday, long-term care facility residents and staff began receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine through Walgreens and CVS, which have an agreement with the federal government.

Governor Beshear spoke about the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine saying, “Yesterday, the Pfizer vaccine began being used at our long-term care facilities.”

Gov. Beshear said he hopes residents and staff are vaccinated by March 1.

Speaking about the Moderna vaccine, “Yesterday, 16 local health department facilities received 10,800 doses. Today, 81 local health departments are receiving 15,600 doses and 71 hospitals are receiving 45,200 doses.”

On Wednesday, Gov. Beshear says the last LHD facility will receive 100 doses and seven hospitals will receive 1,300 doses.

Today, Gov. Beshear expects to find out the amount for the third shipment of the Pfizer shipment.

“7,000 Kentuckians have already received a vaccination,” said Gov. Beshear.

The governor said it’s still important to continue wearing a mask and social distancing, despite the vaccinations.

Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr., House Speaker David Osborne and Senate President Robert Stivers, heads of the three branches of Kentucky government, each received their initial dose of the Moderna vaccine on Tuesday as well.

“Everybody here in a united front, where we need to be, getting this vaccine and protecting our people,” said Gov. Beshear.

Gov. Beshear said his children, Will, 11, and Lila, 10, will be vaccinated when it is approved for children.

“I would not risk my life or the life of my family, which I love more than life itself, if I didn’t believe this vaccine was safe and highly effective,” Gov. Beshear said. “These vaccines are a gift and our best vehicle to end this evil pandemic, allow our children and educators to safely return to school and reignite our economy.”

Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommended during a call Monday with governors that all governors be vaccinated in public as soon as possible.

Michelle Searcy, BSN, RN, school health supervisor with the Franklin County Health Department, administered the vaccines Tuesday in the Capitol Rotunda. Amy Cubellis, an RN and school health nurse in the county health department, administered the vaccine to Searcy.

“I’m grateful that the senior leaders of Kentuckys government have come together today for a shot of hope and to lead through their example,” Dr. Stack said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has been a once-in-a-century nightmare for people throughout the commonwealth, but these vaccines offer new hope just in time for the holidays that 2021 will bring healthier, happier times.”

Gov. Beshear, Dr. Stack and the CDC prioritized front-line health care workers, residents and staff at long-term care facilities. Long-term care residents account for two-thirds of COVID-related deaths in Kentucky.

Gov. Beshear encouraged other community leaders, including those in elected office, business executives and faith leaders, to take the vaccine when it is their turn.

With both vaccines, a second dose is required about three weeks later.