Jill Schramm/MDN Lacey McNichols, immunization coordinator with First District Health Unit, speaks at a news conference in Minot City Hall Tuesday.

Although it is unknown when a COVID-19 vaccine might become available to the general population, First District Health Unit held a news conference Tuesday to explain what area residents can expect once that happens.

In the meantime, the first priority will be vaccination of healthcare workers, emergency medical workers and long-term care residents.

Lisa Clute, executive director for First District, said 200 doses are expected to arrive at the health unit next week. The first doses will be used to vaccinate the nurses providing vaccinations. The following week, vaccination of emergency medical workers will begin.

“The vaccine comes with different requirements than what we’re used to. However, First District Health Unit, we know how to vaccinate, and we can vaccinate large numbers very quickly and efficiently,” Clute said.

Lacey McNichols, immunization coordinator at First District, explained that the Pfizer vaccine, given emergency approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week, will be going directly to healthcare providers. This vaccine requires ultra-cold storage and two doses 21 days apart.

Trinity Health reported Tuesday that its shipment of vaccine is expected to possibly arrive Thursday, enabling vaccinations to begin Friday.

A second vaccine made by Moderna also requires two doses 28 days apart. First District hopes to receive the Moderna vaccine. The FDA meets Thursday to go over the safety and efficacy data, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to begin meeting Friday to discuss its recommendation. If approved, the Moderna vaccine could be shipped early next week, McNichols said.

Clute said emergency medical workers, including law enforcement and firefighters, are being surveyed regarding participation.

“Right now, it looks like our doses are going to match the need, but we don’t have all surveys back in. We are very pleased to see that most first responders throughout the seven counties – a high percentage of them – are interested in being vaccinated,” she said. There will be four sites in the seven counties where vaccinations will be given.

“Once we open a vial, we have six hours, and so our planning and organization will assure that not one dose of this vaccine is wasted, and that’s a high priority for us,” Clute said.

McNichols said it is unknown who will fall into public health’s next priority group. Healthcare facilities are vaccinating their own workers, with the exception of a few smaller providers in First District’s seven-county region who will be included in First District’s efforts. Pharmacies will be vaccinating in long-term care facilities under federal contracts.

The Pfizer vaccine is advised for ages 16 and older. The Moderna vaccine is advised for ages 18 and older, based on individuals included in the study.

Administration of the COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines was not studied so it is recommended no other vaccines be taken within two weeks before or after a COVID-19 vaccine, McNichols said.

McNichols stressed the importance of getting the second dose on schedule. If the second dose date is missed, people should get it as soon afterwards as possible but should not begin the series over, she said. Vaccine brands are not interchangeable. People who receive the first dose of a particular vaccine need to receive that vaccine as their second doses.

“We recommend that you go to the same clinic for your first and second doses to make sure that you get that same brand. The government will be issuing paper cards that staff can write down the date and the brand, so you can carry that with you. And then our electronic records will also document what brand you received,” McNichols said.

Individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 still should get the vaccine, McNichols said.

“You should wait until at least your infectious period is over and that your symptoms are improving. There is no minimum interval between infection and vaccination,” she said. However, she added, re-infection with COVID-19 is unlikely within the first 90 days so waiting three months to receive a vaccination is acceptable.

Anyone with known exposure to the virus should wait out their quarantine periods before getting vaccinated to avoid exposing healthcare personnel administering the vaccine.

“Keep in mind that vaccines are prevention. They’re not treatment. So if you’ve been exposed to COVID, and you turn around and get a vaccine, that vaccine is not going to do you any good. You need to get that vaccine in your arm before you’re exposed to COVID,” McNichols said.

Vaccines are safe for people with underlying medical conditions who have no other contraindications to vaccines, she added. However, people with compromised immune systems, such as those receiving cancer treatment or long-term steroid therapy, should talk with their doctors about the risks and benefits of the vaccine, she said. Pregnant and breastfeeding women also should discuss vaccination with their doctors.

Reactions to the Pfizer vaccine in trials were mild or moderate and included pain at the injection site, McNichols said. About half of the recipients experienced a headache, chills, fatigue and muscle pain. Fever is possible and, less commonly, severe joint and muscle pain and severe fatigue. Most reactions, if they occur, happen one to two days after vaccination and last a day or two. Reactions are more common following a second dose.

Recipients of the Moderna vaccine had similar reactions, McNichols said.

“It’s important to remember that these are unpleasant reactions, but they’re not dangerous,” she said.

Full protection from a vaccine usually occurs one to two weeks after the second dose, but no vaccine is 100% effective, she said. Until enough people are vaccinated to bring down the risk of virus spread, people must continue to use mitigation measures such as wearing masks and maintaining six-foot distances, she said.

McNichols stressed the safety and the strong science behind the vaccines. The race to develop a vaccine began last January. No shortcuts were taken, although government resources accelerated the process, she said. The process also gained speed due to the rapid discovery of the virus’s genetic code and the ability of manufacturers to begin production of vaccines given initial approval while studies continued.

“The drug companies had to provide safety and efficacy data in the same way they would have had to for any other vaccine approved in the United States. In fact, there’s actually been more added measures to make sure the vaccine is safe this time around,” McNichols said. She noted the companies are utilizing existing technology, including the well-studied messenger RNA technology.

McNichols said the goal is to have three or more vaccines approved eventually, but at this point, there are no vaccines other than Pfizer and Moderna that are close to approval consideration.

Updates on vaccine availability will be publicized through the media and on First District’s website at fdhu.org. First District also is making available all the studies and vaccine information it has access to on its website for the public.