County’s plan for administering vaccine makes sense

All good things come to those who wait.

Most of the residents in Marin County are accustomed to the better things in life. After all, we live in one of the five wealthiest counties in the United States with a median household income of more than $126,000 — most are used to getting what we want, when we want it for ourselves and for our families.

The tiered system for vaccine administration recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and adopted by Marin Health and Human Services is rational and based in science.

Currently, health care workers and people in long-term care facilities are being vaccinated (Phase 1a). We need to recognize that by vaccinating those at highest risk, we are saving their lives and also benefiting the entire population of our county, our state and of course, our country. However, it means that some Marinites may need to wait their turn on the basis of their position within this grid.

In addition to being one of the wealthiest counties, Marin also stands out as a county of older citizens, with 43% over the age of 65 and a median age of 47 (about 30% higher than the median age of all the other counties in California).

Our data on the COVID-19 epidemic in Marin County shows that almost all of the deaths have occurred in individuals over the age of 65, increasing each decade from 65 to 95. Many of those deaths have occurred among residents of longterm care facilities. It is reasonable that these people are among the first in line for this vaccine. This approach not only saves the lives of our elderly residents, but also benefits the general population.

That is because elderly people are more likely to require hospitalization including intensive care; they have been occupying and will continue to disproportionately occupy hospital beds that are not available to others who require them. We also need to conserve vital resources such as inhaled oxygen, intravenous fluids and the medications that provide circulatory support during critical illness. So preventing coronavirus in the elderly guarantees that we are better able to care for all COVID-19 and nonCOVID-19 patients.

It also stands to reason that we need to protect our health care workers, not only the doctors and the nurses but also the others who perform essential services in our hospitals and health care facilities including the environmental service teams who clean the rooms and stock critical supplies.

The vaccine rollout has been slower than anticipated. The incoming Biden administration is considering speeding the rollout of first doses to as many people as possible. While this approach has appeal, its success is dependent on increasing the future supply chain so that second doses can be administered in a timely manner. It is estimated that immunity is about 60% with the first dose and doesn’t climb to the range of 95% until after the second dose. Nevertheless, we can hope for a greater emphasis on efficient, fair and scientifically based distribution in the coming months.

We are fortunate in Marin in so many ways. We have not been as hard hit as many of the counties in our state and we have been able to open some of our schools for in-person learning. We have an excellent Department of Health and Human Services with dedicated officials who have ensured that the initial phase of the vaccine rollout has gone smoothly. Many health professionals in Marin volunteered to help administer vaccines.

So remember that “patience is a virtue”. And while you are waiting, find the New York Times’ online calculator to approximate “your place in line.” You can also sign up to receive updates on vaccine distribution at coronavirus.marinhhs.org/ subscribe.

It should go without saying, but please wear your mask (even after you get vaccinated), practice social distancing and avoid socializing outside your family bubble. Our lives and livelihoods depend on all of us.

Elderly people are more likely to require hospitalization including intensive care; they have been occupying and will continue to disproportionately occupy hospital beds that are not available to others who require them.