A health department representative in eastern Kentucky says interest is high in coronavirus vaccinations.
Libby Turner is nurse administrator for Kentucky River District Health Department, which serves Lee, Letcher, Leslie, Knott, Wolfe, Perry, and Owsley counties.
“We had people start calling in wanting to be put on the list and we have hundreds of names for those people 70 and above and some of those less than 70 that wanted to be put on a list too for when it’s their time,” said Turner.
Libby Turner said some hospitals are vaccinating those 70 and above. She noted a significant number of people getting shots in Perry County reside in assisted living settings. Turner anticipates expansion of vaccination locations. “We haven’t seen vaccines come to the pharmacies yet, but they say that that’s coming soon and then we’ve partnered with some FQHC’S and rural health clinics to help us vaccinate the school systems. We have all seven of our school systems vaccinated now,” explained Turner.
Three of the counties in the health department district, Knott, Owsley, and Leslie are currently registering orange in COVID-19 spread. The vast majority of Kentucky remains in the red category. Turner said there have been fewer coronavirus cases the last few weeks in her area.
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