On Thursday, Keser Permanent Medical Center in Fresno gave the first shots of the supply to front-line care providers, including nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists.
COVID-19 nurse Julianna Day was the first to receive the Pfizer vaccine at Kaiser on Thursday.
“Actually, I’m more nervous about getting COVID than getting the vaccine. I would definitely recommend it to other people when they have the ability to administer it,” Day said.
Even while wearing a mask, Dr. John Gasman was visibly emotional and fought back tears after receiving the vaccine.
“It’s a big problem for the United States, it’s a big problem for the world. I’m very proud that this active community has developed this new technique and technology,” Dr. Gasman said.
The first vaccine shipment arrived in Kaiser after California reported more than 38,000 new cases of coronavirus alone Wednesday.
The San Joaquin region, like most of the state, is also struggling with record-level hospitalizations.
“It doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods, it’s a step above the line … there’s light at the end of the tunnel but the tunnel continues. It will be around summer before everyone gets vaccinated,” he said. said Dr. Gasman.
Along with the Pfizer vaccine, Fresno County is expected to receive about 15,000 doses of the Modern vaccine by the end of December.
Commercial pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are also gearing up to receive shipments of the vaccine later this month.
“Now we have to get it to the whole population, because a couple of front-line workers don’t make a difference, but 80% of the population makes a difference,” Gasman said.
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