Winnipesaukee Public Health Network

COVID-19 Vaccination Planning — What You Should Know

With the impending arrival of the COVID 19 vaccine the Partnership for Public Health has been fielding many inquiries regrading vaccine distribution plans for the Winnipesaukee Public Health Network, which encompasses all of Belknap County, Franklin, Tilton, Hill, Danbury, and Moultonborough.

WPHN for the past several months has been engaged with state, regional, and local partners diligently working on plans to safely and effectively receive, store, distribute and administer vaccine to the WPHN population. The Network and our regional and local partners work under the direct guidance of the NH Department of Health and Human Services Immunization department in development of planning and execution strategies for this vaccine.

The public is invited to view the COVID 19 Vaccine Planning document located at this link: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/vaccination-planning.htm. Here you will find DHHS’s detailed plan for vaccine administration across our state. You are encouraged to keep in mind this is a very fluid situation and as we learn more from the science and medical experts the plan will be adjusted accordingly.

WPHN with our regional and local partners are confident of our vaccination plan. Many planning hours have been spent with our regional hospitals, healthcare agencies, long term care facilities, fire, police, and ems partners, and we feel well prepared to execute our vaccine administration plan. As dictated in the NH Vaccine Planning document, the region will closely adhere to the allocation and tiered system of distribution designed by CDC and DHHS. As the roll out of vaccine begins, citizens will be notified of when it is appropriate for them to register to receive the vaccine.

It is important for all of us to realize and except it will take months for the vaccine to be distributed to the masses. It will also take time for the vaccine to provide each of us with immunity. Therefore, it remains critically important for each of us to continue to follow COVID 19 safety procedures. Receiving the vaccine will not immediately relieve the need to wear a face covering, utilize practice social distancing, and perform good hand hygiene. If we are to get past this pandemic it remains crucial that we all do our part. This is not the time to give into COVID 19 fatigue.

If you feel you are experiencing COVID 19 symptoms or have been exposed to COVID 19, it is important you do the following:

• Stay Home for 10 Days

• Get Tested

• Monitor for Symptoms

• Take Care of Yourself

For more information on how to accomplish the above guidance and for additional COVID 19 information, you are encouraged to visit the NH DHHS COVID 19 resource page at: www.nh.gov/covid19.