SSM Health Dr. Suresh Krishnamoorthy receives the first COVID-19 vaccine administered at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia from Registered Nurse Jamie Waggoner. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The just-released Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived at SSM Health St. Mary’s and Good Samaritan Hospitals, Salem Township Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital in Breese, and Fairfield Memorial Hospital on Wednesday.
All almost immediately began vaccinating their front line staff.
Salem Township Hospital Director of Emergency and Inpatient Services Lisa Ambuehl, Director of Emergency and Inpatient Services receives Salem Township Hospital’s first COVID-19 vaccination from Employee Health Nurse Mel Fitch.
At St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Dr. Suresh Krishnamoorthy was the first in line. He’s hopeful the vaccine will allow a return to pre-COVID days.
“It was distressing, traumatic, and emotionally draining for us all. We have witnessed first hand the loved ones of the diseased going through the pain of losing their kin unexpectedly and suddenly while not being able to be around them except for the final hours. We also experience first hand the health care workers, especially the nurses, showing exceptional courage, compassion, dedication, and empathy for taking care of the diseased until their last breath.”
After receiving the vaccine, Dr. Suresh said he didn’t feel the injection or have any adverse effects. All those taking the vaccine were required to stay in the area the shots were being delivered for 15 minutes. Only so many in each department and on certain shifts were allowed to take the vaccine at the same time in case there were reactions that could impact staffing.
Nurse Cindy Meagher was also at the front of the line.
“I’ve been in nursing for over 30 years and this has been the most difficult time in taking care of patients in my entire career. Just for all the precautions we have to take, how sick the patients are, and how isolated everyone is it has been by far the toughest time of my career.”
A vial of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine that will hopefully end the current pandemic. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
ICU Nurse Laura Reikensmeyer says the required isolation adds to the emotions.
“The hardest part is that they are not with their families. That is the biggest problem for them it is difficult to not be with your loved ones especially to having to trust the nursing staff when they are saying there is a decline or being able to rejoice with those patients when they get better.”
The staff vaccinations were coordinated by Pharmacist Monica Heinzman. She says title had nothing to do with who was selected for the first vaccinations, but rather their amount of contact with COVID-19 positive patients.
Heinzman says the doses being delivered on Wednesday are the first of two that will be required to
get protection from COVID-19.
“Obvious that you probably do get some protection from the first one but there is no data out there to tell you how much. They do know after the 2nd dose it’s approximately 95% effective. It’s not completely unusual if you think of childhood vaccinations a lot of those are in sequence so it’s not unusual for 2 doses. And the reason is to stimulate the immune system enough you may need 2 doses.”
The second doses will be scheduled 21 days after the first, so those receiving the first vaccine Wednesday will be scheduled for the second in early January.
At Good Samaritan Hospital, Dr. Thejeswi Pujar was first in line to be vaccinated.
At Salem Township Hospital, Director of Emergency and Inpatient Services Lisa Ambuehl received the first vaccination from Employee Health Nurse Mel Fitch.
At St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, Registered Nurse Mary Fitzgerald in the Emergency Department was the first to receive the vaccine. She said she wanted to take the vaccine to keep her family and patients safe. Fitzgerald homes the vaccine will help us get back to some normalcy sooner than if we didn’t have this available to us.
Mary Fitzgerald, RN in HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese Emergency Department receives first COVID-19 vaccine at the hospital. Rene Kruse, RN and clinical educator is administering the vaccination.
The first Doctor to receive the vaccination at St. Joseph’s Hospital was Dr. Brian Klostermann who says the vaccinations are our opportunity to move forward, past the restrictions at schools, businesses, churches, and gatherings. He believes that the vaccine is safe. Dr. Klostermann says his family will be getting the vaccine when available to them and he hopes our community takes the opportunity, when available, to get the vaccine.
