BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — 975 Pfizer vaccines rolled through the doors of Med Center Health in Bowling Green on Monday morning.
What You Need To Know
- Bowling Green has received its first doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine
- First doses will be prioritized for hospital front line workers, long-term care facilities
- All shots will be given on a voluntary basis
- Even with a vaccine, mask wearing and social distancing are still encouraged
The vaccine was approved last Friday by the CDC and after working closely with doctors and physicians. Vice President of Corporate Support Services Dr. Melinda Joyce was overjoyed to finally see a viable solution to help fight the pandemic.
“I was so elated to see it come through our doors, because I know that this means that we now have a way that we can start impacting COVID-19,” Joyce said.
The vaccines are stored in an ultra-cold low storage freezer that stays at -100 degrees Fahrenheit. The first round of vaccines will go to hospital front line workers, hospital providers that visit frequently, and employees and residents of the Carl Tuner long term care facility in Scottsville.
All vaccines are given on a voluntary basis and medical staff must call and register before receiving their immunization. They can visit the pharmacy to receive their vaccines during the 12 hour stretch alloted or for medical workers working the night shift, a time between 12 a.m. and 3 a.m. will be offered a few days a week.
“They’ll monitor them for about 10 minutes or so just to make sure everybody is fine and then they’re good to go. At that time though we’ll need to make sure they’ve got an appointment to come back in three weeks,” Joyce said.
Dr. Joyce said they are not sure when they will receive another round of vaccines aside from the second dose of 975, so it is still important to mask up and keep a six foot distance.
“We cannot, cannot let our guard down. We’ll still need to make sure that we wear our masks, that we social distance, that we practice good hand hygiene, as well as getting this vaccine,” Joyce said.
Med Center Health in Bowling Green is not mandating their employees to take the vaccine, but it is highly encouraged in efforts to keep everyone safe.