The two largest health networks in the Lehigh Valley on Thursday commemorated one of the most important moments in the ten-month fight against the pandemic.
A UPS truck delivered Pfizer’s first two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, a week after the FDA granted emergency use authorization to the University of St. Louis health network. Luke.
“It’s a truly revolutionary day, in my opinion. It’s certainly not the end of the pandemic, but I think it’s an important step toward that end,” said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, an infectious disease specialist at SLUHN.
St. Luke received 5,000 doses.
“I am proud to say that we have started administering it within two hours of receiving the dosage, so right now we are working at our own warp speed to get all the staff to accept the vaccine. and you need the vaccine to get your initial protection, ”Jahre said.
The Lehigh Valley Health Network also received the vaccine Thursday. He vaccinated ten employees.
Nurse Chantal Branco was the first.
“There’s definitely an element to relieving stress,” Branco said. “I’m very excited, one of the good things that’s happening to us this week.”
Experts said it is a beginning and not the end of everything in the ongoing pandemic battle. All will continue to be distanced, masked and hand-washed repeatedly.
But it is a welcome start and perhaps the first glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel.
LVHN said it will vaccinate another 1,000 workers on Friday.
“We anticipate that in the coming weeks we will be able to hit our most at-risk individuals depending on the workplace and the area where they work,” said Dr. Timothy Friel, an LVHN infectious disease specialist.
Then they will move on to other employees.
St. Luke said he hopes the Modern vaccine will also receive emergency clearance and will be available online next week.