Frontline Health Care Workers Receive Vaccine

Submitted by gsrader on

Since receiving the vaccines Tuesday afternoon, over 300 of our frontline workers were given their first of two vaccine doses. Their second dose will be given in about 17-21 days.  

“This is the next phase of our response to the pandemic,” said Chad Alvarez, senior director of pharmacy and the leader of our COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force. “By providing the vaccine to our colleagues who work day in, day out on the frontlines of the pandemic, we’re better able to help our neighbors in need.”  

Those who receive the vaccine are not considered inoculated against COVID-19 until about seven days after the second dose of the vaccine is administered.  

“We must remain vigilant with our masking and social distancing,” said Anthony Baffoe-Bonnie, M.D., infectious disease specialist and medical director of Infection Prevention and Control. “Now is not the time to let our guard down.”   

Employees who chose to receive the vaccine had a variety of reasons why they wanted to get vaccinated.   

Mary Rogers, R.N. in a COVID-19 unit at CRMH, said she was very excited for the vaccine because she feels that it is ultimately going to be one of the best ways to decrease the spread of this virus. 

Her husband is also a first responder at Carilion. "It was important for both of us to receive the vaccine in the first wave for not only our safety, but for our family members around us and the community," she said. 

Matthew Burton, M.D., chief of staff at CSJH, drove 45 minutes on his day off and was very excited that it felt better than a flu shot. He is encouraging anyone he speaks with to take this vaccine.  

On Wednesday, Patrice Weiss, M.D., chief medical officer, received her first dose of the vaccine from Nancy Howell Agee, R.N., president and CEO.   

“I wanted to show my confidence in the efficacy and safety of the vaccine," said Dr. Weiss. "I rolled up my sleeve and was vaccinated by our president and CEO, Nancy Howell Agee, R.N., to demonstrate our combined commitment to the COVID-19 vaccine."

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Nancy Agee receives a vaccine from Dr. Weiss
Dr. Baffoe-Bonnie, Infectious Disease, receives a vaccine
Mary Rogers, R.N., receives a vaccine
Kendall Hinchley-Balch, C.A., receives a vaccine
Dr. Weiss receives a vaccine from Nancy Agee
Dr. Skolnik receives a vaccine
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Key points
Many of our frontline workers received their first of two COVID-19 vaccination injections this week.
The goal remains to vaccinate health care workers at the highest risk of contracting the virus by the end of December.
Mild to moderate side effects are common and suggest your body is mounting the desired immune response.
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Administration of vaccine
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If you received the vaccine and are experiencing side effects that impact your normal job duties, please follow these guidelines: 

  • Follow your department’s call-out process.
  • Contact the Employee COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-468-1359 and choose option 7. 
  • If you are placed in out-of-work status, work with your manager to explore possible remote work arrangements or PTO. Non-exempt employees may use leave without pay.  

All side effects from the vaccine should also be reported through the CDC's V-safe tool.

For more information on side effects and the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the coronavirus vaccine page.

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Vaccine Side Effects