(La Porte County, IN) - As frontline medical workers in La Porte County continue to roll through Michigan City's Franciscan Hospital for their COVID-19 vaccinations, the next phase of the vaccination process is getting underway in the county.

 

La Porte City first-responders are among the second group in line to be vaccinated.  According to La Porte Fire Chief Andy Snyder, firefighters were vaccinated this past week.  Police Chief Paul Brettin says his officers will start receiving vaccines next week.  Since the vaccine has been authorized in an emergency capacity, officials say personnel cannot be required to get it. But it is being highly encouraged.

 

State health officials confirmed that residents in senior care facilities across Indiana are among the next to have access to vaccines and that facilities could begin administering vaccines as soon as Monday.  At least one La Porte senior care facility appears to be wasting no time.  Brentwood Assisted Living on Andrew Avenue in La Porte announced earlier this week that they will be giving the vaccine to their residents and workers Monday (more info here).  They are partnering with CVS and Walgreens to administer the vaccine in their facility.

 

As this new round of vaccinations begin, hospital officials indicate they’ve received 975 more doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week and expect 500 doses of the newly-approved Moderna vaccine to arrive any day. 

 

Kroger Supermarkets announced their pharmacies will participate in the distribution and administration of the vaccines once they become widely available.  Kroger says they will soon be hiring nearly 1,000 health care personnel to help administer the vaccine in the markets where they operate.

 

Stay tuned to HometownNewsNow.com for the latest information on the rollout of COVID-19 Vaccinations in La Porte County.