Grand Rapids-based Spectrum Health received its first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine early Monday morning and began vaccinating staff at 12:04pm. Patrick Center has the story.
Per Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, frontline hospital workers across the country are receiving the first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. At Spectrum Health the first groups getting the shots are the Emergency Room, Intensive Care and COVID-19 Units.
“So far, I feel fine. Not even a sore arm. It’s been about three-and-a-half hours.”
Dr. Marc McClelland practicing Pulmonary Medicine was one of the first to roll up his sleeve.
“And hopefully this vaccine will bring cause for hope and optimism in the coming months,” McClelland said.
“We are scheduling people in phases to ensure that we can maintain consistent care for our community.”
Tina Freese Decker is Spectrum Health President and CEO.
“And while we wait for the vaccine to be available to the general public this spring, we will work closely, and collaborate with health departments, pharmacies and other community partners,” said Decker.
Spectrum expects to receive 5,000 Pfizer-BioNTech doses this week with more to come.