LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky Healthcare system received the COVID-19 vaccinations on Tuesday.

What You Need To Know

  • UK Healthcare employees receive COVID-19 vaccine

  • It received 1,950 doses

  • Emergency room workers received first shots

  • Nearly 500 employees will receive the vaccine through Wednesday

Leaders at the healthcare system said they accepted 1,950 doses in a temperature-controlled package shipped by UPS.

“It was directly delivered to the pharmacy. Not a very big box, a heavy box full of dry ice,” said Philip Almeter, the chief pharmacist at University of Kentucky Healthcare. “We have nurses, physicians, pharmacists all getting vaccines on the team.”

Among the first to be administered included those in working in the emergency room: Dr. Charles Eckerline, registered nurse Hinali Patel, Abby Bailey, pharmacist, and nursing care technicians Claire Stockwell and Jeremy Jones.

“Rolling this out takes a considerable team effort,” Almeter said.

That’s because the vials are stored in a negative 80-degree temperature controlled freezer. Add on three hours thawing time when ready to use, after a vial is mixed with a solution to dilute the vaccine.

“It’s not as simple as a flu vaccine,” Almeter said. “Most flu vaccines that we give, come in pre-filled syringes. They’re locked and loaded. They’re ready to administer, however, this vaccine requires a considerable amount of manipulation. 

So far, they administered the vaccine to 88 employees on Tuesday.

“We have been doing this for months. Dealing with the pandemic. And this isn’t the end,” Almeter said. “But it’s a start to the end. It’s nice to know that our effort is contributing to the end. So there was a lot of excitement in the room when the first vaccinations happened.”

Plans for Wednesday and Thursday include giving the vaccine to almost 500 employees.

So far, across the state, regions in Kentucky have received 12,000 doses in the initial rollout for Kentucky’s health care workers. 

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