Vermont Business Magazine White River Junction VA Healthcare System began COVID-19 vaccination with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine today, following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization for this vaccine.
“Today, hope arrived in a box containing frigid vials of a highly effective vaccine. Yes, we need to continue our vigilance in battling this virus – social distancing, hand washing, masks, avoiding gatherings. But rest assured, hope really is on the horizon.” said Dr. Brett Rusch, Executive Director, in an email to all staff at White River Junction VA Healthcare System. “As vaccine supplies increase, our ultimate goal is to offer COVID-19 vaccination to all veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.”
White River Junction VA Healthcare System is one of 113 VA Medical Centers across the country to receive the first limited supply of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Sites were identified based on need for the vaccine according to CDC’s 1A prioritization and capacity to store the vaccine at -20◦C.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was 94 percent effective in clinical trials in preventing COVID-19 disease. The vaccine is administered in two doses, 28 days apart. The side effects appear similar to those of other vaccines and are short-lived.
Thirty-seven medical centers began offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to health care personnel and Veterans Dec 14. Fifteen additional VA facilities will receive an allocation of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine the week of December 21.
At 11:06AM today the first Moderna vaccinations were administered to three employees:
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Chelsie Hatfield, Air Force Reservist, NP
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Even after receiving COVID-19 vaccination, employees and Veterans should continue wearing face coverings, practicing physical distancing and washing hands often.
As vaccines become available for more groups of Veterans, VA care teams will reach out to eligible Veterans to schedule vaccinations. There is no need to preregister or come to a facility to sign up.
Veterans can get up-to-date information on VA’s VA COVID-19 vaccine webpage, which launched on December 11, 2020, and sign up to receive regular updates on the vaccine on the VA’s Stay Informed page. For more information, please contact Katherine Tang, Public Affairs Officer at [email protected] or (802) 295-9363 extension 5880.
Source: White River Junction, VT —White River Junction VA Healthcare System 12.21.2020