Queens Medical Center receives the first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine

Queens Medical Center today received the Govit-19 vaccine for its first ship, the 975 dose Pfizer, and will begin immunizations for frontline workers on Tuesday.

In addition to hospital health workers with direct exposure to corona virus patients – including those in the emergency department and intensive care unit – Queens will provide immunity to staff treating people at risk, chronic conditions, seniors and ultimately “everyone in the organization”.

Queens Punchball has 5,400 staff, the West Oahu campus has 1,000 staff, the Hawaiian Island North Hawaii Community Hospital has 350 staff and Molokai General Hospital has 200 staff. Hospital executives said vaccination is not mandatory for workers, but is very encouraging.

The vaccine, which should be stored at minus -60 degrees, was shipped in thermo-insulated containers with dry ice and transferred to the hospital’s extreme cold freezer.

“This is truly an important day,” said Jill Hoggart, president and CEO of Queen’s Health Systems. As vaccinations take place we all need to remember that we need to be more vigilant about wearing our masks, physical distance training and hand washing. ”

For more information on the vaccine, click here or call 691-2619.

Additional shipments of the vaccine are expected in the coming weeks.