Update 3:30 Wednesday:
Tallahassee healthcare workers have begun receiving the coronavirus vaccine. Brittany Range (in the video below from Capital Regional Medical Center spokesperson Rachel Stiles) was the first staffer at Capital Regional Medical Center to receive the vaccine. Range is a registered nurse working in the emergency room.
In a press release, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare spokesperson Danielle Buchanan says TMH received 6,700 Moderna vaccines Wednesday morning. That's more than the 5,600 doses the hospital had expected to receive.
Vaccines for TMH healthcare workers are also underway. A statement from the hospital reads: "our goal is to safely vaccinate a large quantity of TMH colleagues, physicians and partners efficiently and as quickly as possible. We are working to distribute a portion of the COVID-19 vaccines to local medical providers and rural hospitals. We’ve also established a drive-thru to safely administer vaccines to TMH colleagues."
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The Back Story:
A shipment of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Tallahassee. Capital Regional Medical Center spokesperson Rachel Stiles confirmed the news just before noon Wednesday. Stiles says officials plan to begin vaccinating staff today.
“The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine is a pivotal turning point in our fight against this virus. The progress that has been made in these past few months is astounding. We are grateful to be able to provide this added protection to our care team members who have been an immense source of strength and support for our communities," Chief Nursing Officer Ann Smith said in a statement. “As vaccine supplies steadily increase, our goal is to make the vaccine available to every colleague who wishes to receive it. Although the vaccine will not be mandatory, we believe it is a major step in ending the pandemic.”
Stiles told the Tallahassee Democrat, Capital Regional Medical Center is scheduled to received 2,400 doses.
The Leon County health department is expected to receive 2,500 vaccines. A press release from Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare says its expecting 5,600 doses.
“We are thrilled to receive our first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccines,” TMH President Mark O’Bryant said in a statement. “Getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, social distancing and frequent hand washing will collectively help us get our families and communities back to normal.”
TMH will focus on vaccinating its front-line workers and is also charged with distributing the vaccines for staff at other local healthcare organizations including Bond Community Health Center, Neighborhood Medical Center, TMH Physician Partners, Capital Health Plan and Tallahassee Primary Care Associates.
