A Christmas Gift: First COVID-19 vaccines give at HCH

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A Christmas Gift: First COVID-19 vaccines give at HCH

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 07:29
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Dr. William C. Isaacs was at the front of the line to receive the first COVID-19 vaccine administered at the Canadian Physicians Clinic on Thursday morning, Dec. 24. He was followed by nine other local healthcare workers, each of whom received the first dose of the two-dose vaccine manufactured by Moderna.

The Canadian Family Physicians Clinic received 100 of the vaccines last week. Another 400 were shipped to Harvester Clinic in Pampa, and 200 more are expected to be delivered to Hemphill County Hospital on Monday, according to HCHD CEO Christy Francis.

The next phase of vaccines will be prioritized for those who are 65 and older, and those with health conditions that increase their vulnerability to COVID-19.

Those who received the vaccines on Thursday said the shots were painless. During the 15-minute required wait after receiving the vaccination, some mentioned mild soreness in the arm that was injected.

One recipient jokingly referred to it as “an ouchy for Dr. Fauci,” demonstrating that the shot had no effect whatsoever on his sense of humor. Another called it “a wonderful Christmas gift.”

Most expressed their relief that the vaccines had been so quickly developed and delivered, and their hope that these immunizations mark a significant turning point in the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed 1.75 million lives around the world, to date.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 439,502 Texans had received at least one dose of the vaccine by noon on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Over 1.3 million doses have been distributed to all 254 counties in the state.

Daphne Wheeler, LVN, Canadian Family Physicians, administered vaccines on the day before Christmas to 10 local healthcare workers: (from top left), Dr. William C. Isaacs; Cathy Beeson, RN, PT clinic nurse; Dr. Gary Frederick; Mindy Vinson, LVN, FT clinic nurse; Tiffany Potter, FNP; Rhonda McKanna, RN, infection control and employee health nurse; Casey McKanna, plant operations; Christy Francis, CEO; Dr. Valerie Verbi; and Dr. Anna Isaacs.