DAYTON–Columbia County Health System (CCHD/CCHS) partnered with Public Health and the Fire Department to offer the first COVID-19 vaccine clinic to the community at the County Fairgrounds Pavilion on January 27-28. Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman offered guidance to CCHS in setting up the clinic.

The Public Health Office worked to collect names of individuals aged 65 or older for the B1 phase of the vaccine administration. The Fire Department with EMT staff was present along with an ambulance in case anyone would have an unfavorable reaction.

CEO Shane McGuire stated at the CCHD Board meeting on January 27, that he expected the administration of a total of 770 vaccines with a mix of first and second doses by the week's end. He also reported 1,100 people are on the vaccination waiting list, which is one quarter of the population of Columbia County.

CCHS has contracted with the County for use of the Fairgrounds Pavilion ongoing for additional vaccine clinics as more vaccine is distributed. McGuire said in his report, "We are grateful to the County for helping to make this happen so quickly and de-winterizing the building for this purpose."

With 1,100 people on the waiting list, it shouldn't be difficult to schedule, but according to Cassie Sauer, president of the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), "Hospitals do not get advance notice about what they're getting or, if they do, it is in the 24-to-48-hour range. People now know what they're getting this week, (but) no clue what they're getting next week. So that's quite challenging."

Vaccine allocation remains the primary problem with little forewarning on what we will be receiving and allocation amounts varying from 100 to 200 doses a delivery, McGuire confirmed. "Our pharmacist, Cheryl Pell, has done a fantastic job to balance inventory needs for second dose against the need to also vaccinate as many community members as possible with available resources."

In other hospital news, the excavation has begun on the foundation for the Dental Clinic Project as an addition to the existing Columbia Family Clinic. It is anticipated to take four months for construction, another month to get equipment and software installed, and then open for a "soft opening" by June 1, 2021 with a full opening the following week.

The Board will be reviewing CEO McGuire and forming an official CEO job description at a special meeting on February 17.

The Hospital is actively recruiting for a Medical Staff Secretary to assist Chief of Staff Kyle Terry, M.D., a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and nurses and doctors. "We're going to take the time it takes to find 'good fit providers,'" McGuire said, not just providers that are providers by license or providers by insurance...one of the biggest problems we have is the collegiality–that they get along with one another. We are actively very focused strategically on filling those positions with candidates...who care about our community."