©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com
Glens Falls Hospital received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine before Christmas and began vaccinating employees based on the CDC and state Department of Health guidelines.
The first person to receive the vaccine at the hospital was Stephanie Kelly, lab lead, microbiology.
“It was great, I did not feel a thing, less than what I feel with the flu shot usually,” she said. “I would recommend everyone getting this vaccination. It is important. We are so lucky and I am happy to have it.”
Some of the doses received were earmarked for EMS and other first responders. The hospital worked directly with these first responder teams to get members vaccinated.
On Jan. 12, hospital officials said “We are aware that New York state has announced that those in group/phase 1b (age 65 and up) are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. At this time we have not received additional doses to be distributed, nor have the counties.
“Our partners in the county Public Health Departments should be receiving instructions soon. They have asked that you monitor the county websites, social media, radio and television. You can also monitor the Warren County COVID-19 Vaccine information line at 518-761-6200, and the NY State COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at (833) 697-4829”
The Moderna vaccine, which officials say has been shown to be nearly 95 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 and 100 percent effective at preventing serious illness, was the second vaccine made available to Glens Falls Hospital employees. Also in late December, employees received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady.
According to Hillary Alycon, MPH, CIC director of infection prevention and control,“people need to be very confident in the safety and effectiveness of these two vaccines. There is no live virus present in the vaccine, only what is known as the messenger or mRNA spike protein, so it is impossible for the vaccine to cause COVID-19. When we take the vaccine, we begin to develop antibodies that recognize these spike proteins which are on the outside of the COVID-19 virus. This builds up our immunity and will help keep us safe from the disease.”
In December, nearly everyone at Hudson Headwaters Health Network was vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s a relief to employees, but nurse Krystal Washburn said her relief had nothing to do with personal safety.
“I’m just so excited to be not exposing my patients any more,” she said.
Also, vials of the Moderna vaccine were shipped directly to each Hudson Headwaters health clinic. Once a vial is opened, it must be completely used within six hours. People came in on vacation to get their shots. Some traveled to other locations to make sure the right number of people were waiting before a vial was opened.
Information provided by Glens Falls Hospital as recent as Jan. 11.