Weiser receives first COVID-19 vaccine through Operation Warp Speed on Friday


The first COVID-19 vaccine was received by Infection Prevention Manager Hilary Kile on Friday afternoon. Kathy Adams, a registered nurse at Family Medical Center, administered the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine under the direction of Dr. Brad Terry a physician at Family Medical Center. The first round of vaccines were given to health care workers at Memorial Hospital, Family Medical Center, Two Rivers Medical Clinic, first responders and hospital staff. Photo by Sarah Imada
By: 
Sarah Imada
Operation Warp Speed hit Weiser’s medical community on Friday and first tier health care workers received the first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. 
 Weiser Memorial Hospital’s infection prevention manager Hilary Kile was the first health care provider to receive the vaccine and it was administered by Kathy Adams, a registered nurse at Family Medical Center under the direction of Dr. Brad Terry. 
 “I feel like we need to use all the tools that we have available to us during the pandemic, including the vaccine, and that it is my responsibility as a parent to ensure that I stay healthy so I can take care of my kids,” Kile said.
 The first round of vaccines was administered to health care workers at Memorial Hospital, Family Medical Center, Two Rivers Medical Clinic, first responders and hospital staff.
 Those present at the Friday vaccination included two pharmacists from the hospital who measured the correct dose and kept the vaccine at the required temperature. Also present was an emergency room manager, an operating room manager, Family Medical Center clinic manager, the infection prevention manager and Dr. Brad Terry.
 After the vaccine was administered, the patient was monitored for 15 minutes as a precautionary measure to prevent adverse reactions to the medication. The Pfizer vaccine must be administered in two series with a booster shot three weeks after the first dose.
 The first phase of the rollout of the vaccine did not play out as intended. Idaho was initially expected to receive 17,550 doses however only received 9,750 doses, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. 
 Madora Alexander, clinic manager at Family Medical Center said Weiser received the full allotment requested based on health care providers who volunteered to get the vaccine. The allocation of vaccines received has been prioritized for healthcare workers and EMS personnel only and is not currently available to the general public and household members.
 “Certainly, where we work and with what we are doing here, we come into contact with lots of people,” said Terry, D.O. Family Medical Center physician. “So, the vaccine is helping me to be able to not [contract COVID] and spread it to people I am seeing. It is a huge comfort to me that I can potentially protect those with whom I come into contact without getting it myself.”  
 The Idaho COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee (CVAC) will be issuing recommendations to Idaho Governor Brad Little on what individuals will be prioritized to receive the vaccine during Phase 1b.
 “The distribution of the vaccine is a breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19. For now, our limited supply of the vaccine is prioritized for our front-line health care workers and most vulnerable citizens,” Little said in a statement. “We recognize there is a great demand for this life-saving tool, and we expect changes and evolution when it comes to managing supply. The COVID-19 vaccine continues to arrive in Idaho, and I urge Idahoans to be patient with the distribution. Though this is an outstanding step forward in the fight against the COVID-19 virus, we must remain vigilant in our defense. We must continue to wear masks, avoid gatherings, and keep safe physical distance to protect lives as we await widespread distribution of the vaccine.”
 Tentatively, the next round of vaccines will be allocated to essential workers not included in the first tier. Those currently in Phase 1b of the vaccination plan include pre-K through 12th grade school staff, teachers and daycare workers, correctional and detention facility staff, food processing workers, grocery and convenience store employees, Idaho National Guard, other essential workers not already included and unable to telework or social distance at work.
 The COVID-19 vaccination will be a valuable tool to help stop the pandemic. It is still recommended to wear face masks, social distance, and follow safety protocols. The vaccine will work with an individual’s already built immune system to help fight the virus.
 “I think it is the right thing to do, both to ensure my own safety and those around me,” said Weiser Memorial Hospital CEO Steven Hale. “Especially with my grandson coming up to visit for Christmas. I want to ensure I’m protecting him and the rest of the family.”
 A second vaccine from pharmaceutical company Moderna was granted emergency approval from the FDA to help the fight against the novel coronavirus.
 “As part of the leadership team at Weiser Memorial Hospital, I feel it is important to lead by example. Getting the COVID vaccine lets our staff know that I trust that it is safe and that it is the right thing to do to protect everyone in our community,” said Weiser Memorial Hospital Chief Financial Officer Pam Stampfli.
 This early Christmas present is proof that there is an end in sight for the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

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