Vaccinations against COVID-19 have begun in Kentucky. There was applause from the moment the UPS truck arrived carrying 975 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to UofL Hospital. Dr. Jason Smith, a trauma surgeon and chief medical officer was the first to be vaccinated. “I’m fully in belief that this a very safe and effective vaccine. I volunteered to go first because of that.”
Five healthcare workers in all were the first to be vaccinated Monday morning, one day earlier than planned. Dr. Valerie Briones-Pryor was the third in line. She had lost another patient to the Coronavirus and said while it won’t happen overnight, the vaccine is the key to a return to normal. “Just lost my 27th patient today. So, the vaccine I took today was for her family and the other 26 that I’ve lost. For all of the other families and patients that I’ve held their hands…we’re their family. We’re the ones holding their hands and telling them they’re going to be ok.”
38-thousand doses are in the first Pfizer shipment. Two-thirds of the supply will be given to staff and residents in long term care facilities, the rest will go to front-line workers at hospitals and medical centers across the state.