COLDWATER – The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has received an initial allotment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

CHA Health Officer Rebecca Burns says vaccinations started last week for individuals in Phase 1A priority groups, as hospitals in the CHA service area also received shipments to vaccinate their front line workers. Communications are taking place directly with these entities and clinics are not open to the general public at this time.

Vaccine distribution for Phase 1A is limited and prioritized to paid and unpaid persons in health care settings who have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infections materials, and are unable to work from home. Also included are residents of long term care facilities. Upon completion of Phase 1A, follow up communications will be released.

Burns says it will be several months before supply increases enough to vaccinate everyone, therefore, distribution of the vaccine in Michigan will be in a phased approach.

The Moderna vaccine is a two-dose vaccine. The first and second doses are spaced 28 days apart. After the second dose, the Moderna vaccine is 94.5 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 infection. The two doses of the Moderna vaccine can not be mixed and matched with the similar Pfizer vaccine.