Louisville Public Health & Wellness Begins Mass Vaccinations Against COVID-19

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness today began mass vaccinations against COVID-19 for healthcare workers with a drive-thru event at Broadbent Arena on the grounds of the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center.

“Today is a day to celebrate,” said Mayor Greg Fischer, who joined Dr. Sarah Moyer, the city’s Chief Health Strategist, as well as members of her staff and volunteers as the first vaccinations were delivered. “Vaccinating many more people against this dastardly virus means we are moving steadily to returning to the things we enjoy, as well as protecting our families, friends and community from more illness and deaths.”

The mass vaccination site will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the Moderna vaccine is provided. Vaccinations are offered by appointment only and are focused on the Tier 1a group, as mandated by the federal government. That group focuses on healthcare workers and includes physicians, nurses, dentists, occupational and physical therapists, medical lab personnel, audiologists, home health personnel, and mortuary personnel, among others.

Any healthcare workers interested in signing up for the vaccine can go to www.louisvilleky.gov/covid19, click on the “vaccines” tab, and complete a form. Public Health and Wellness personnel will follow up to verify and schedule an appointment.

The drive-thru site features three stations. At the first, people are checked in and screened to follow all COVID19 safety protocols. At the second station, they receive the vaccine while seated in their car. The third station is a parking area where the vaccinated individual must remain for 15 minutes of observation to ensure there are no adverse reactions.

Frequently asked questions and answers about the mass vaccination site can be found here.

“We expect to provide 1,000 doses this week,” said Dr. SarahBeth Hartlage, the health department’s associate medical director. “Our focus right now is on healthcare workers, but we expect to move into Tier 1b, which includes nonmedical first responders, educators, corrections staff and adults over the age of 70, in early February.”

Vaccinations are being given by Public Health and Wellness nurses, as well as nurse volunteers from the Kentucky Nurses Association. Student volunteers are also playing a key role in the effort, including medical students, nursing and pharmaceutical students and students from the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences.

“Today marks a significant milestone,” said Dr. Moyer. “We are giving hope one shot at a time. Hope that when a majority in our community is vaccinated this virus will be defeated and we will all be back to doing the things we loved before the pandemic began.”

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The city’s COVID-19 data dashboard, a complete list of COVID-19 testing sites, information on symptoms, prevention and contact tracing as well as vaccines can be found at www.louisville.gov/covid19. The LOU HEALTH COVID19 Helpline is also available: 502- 912-8598.