Jennie Stuart Medical Center has begun the process of vaccinating its front line workers after 500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine arrived this week.
Marketing Director Selina Staub said a distribution plan for the hospital was in place as the hospital awaited the first batch of vaccines. She said the vaccines will be distributed over the next several weeks in multiple phases. In the first phase, Staub said all front-line direct patient care providers will be a priority as will workers in the nutrition and housekeeping departments.
click to download audioOther hospital employees and physician offices will receive the vaccine in subsequent rollouts. The vaccine comes at a time when the hospital had 31 patients infected with the virus being treated Wednesday — the highest number for Jennie Stuart since the pandemic began.
Staub said they expect the hospital to receive another shipment within a month as the second dose is given. She estimated 450 employees of the hospital will receive the vaccine and that vaccination is not mandatory.
Staub said COVID-19 immunizations for Christian County first responders such as EMS, police, and fire departments would be coordinated through the health department.
Meanwhile, Trigg County Hospital Administrator John Sumner said they are set to receive 400 doses of the Moderna vaccine that will be used for hospital front line workers and community first responders.
click to download audioSumner said Trigg County Hospital’s busiest time in treating COVID-19 patients since the pandemic began has come in the past two weeks.
