PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The Medical Center of Southeast Texas has started administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine injections to frontline workers Thursday afternoon.
The first Pfizer shot was given at 1:34 pm to registered nurse Christy Wright.
Wright’s mother and father both contracted COVID-19 in the summer. Her father lost his battle with COVID-19 and died on Aug. 1.
She said she feels a responsibility to get the vaccine. “I want to do all I can to help not spread this deadly virus,” Wright said.
Wright is a medical surgeon and COVID-19 medical floor nurse and says she's excited to be the first to receive the vaccine.
The Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer, Dana Steffer, administered the first vaccination.
“We are following every measure outline by the CDC, FDA and ACIP, ” said Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Gary Mennie, “and we will continue to support all efforts that lead to the end of this pandemic, and maintain quality, compassionate care in all that we do.”
Full news release from the Medical Center of Southeast Texas...
Statement by The Medical Center of Southeast Texas: Receives Covid-19 Vaccinations and immediately begins distribution to front line heath care workers.
Today, The Medical Center of South East Texas received its first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and immediately began administering the vaccine to its frontline healthcare workers.
The first vaccine was given Christy Wright, RN. She works as a Med Surg and Covid Medical floor nurse. Both her mother and father contracted COVID-10 this past summer. Christy’s father lost his battle with COVID-19, on August 1, 2020.
Christy says feels a responsibility to get the vaccine, “I want to do all I can to help not spread this deadly virus”.
She is excited to the first to receive the vaccine. Our CNO Dana Steffer, administered the first vaccination.
The Medical Center has received the expected 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the first allotment. “We are following every measure outline by the CDC, FDA and ACIP, ” says CMO, Dr. Gary Mennie, “and we will continue to support all efforts that lead to the end of this pandemic, and maintain quality, compassionate care in all that we do.”
During months of preparations, our team has been facilitating ultra-cold storage, added security measures and a dedicated clinic for administering the vaccine.
Additionally, Steward Healthcare has developed an application to pre-screen employees, schedule employees for COVID vaccinations, and set reminders for the administration of the second dose of the vaccine.
This will allow us to administer vaccines to our health care personnel, while simultaneously maintaining best practices for physical distancing.
We are honored to be included in the “week one” distribution and will continue to facilitate the Covid-19 vaccination process for healthcare workers as instructed by the CDC and FDA.
