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Beebe Healthcare Administers First COVID-19 Vaccines in Sussex County

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Sintia Rodriguez, RN, is the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Sussex County, Delaware.

 

The first person in Sussex County received the COVID-19 vaccine today at Beebe Healthcare. Sintia Rodriguez, RN, who works in Beebe’s Emergency Department and behavioral health unit, received the vaccination from Dr. Bill Chasanov, at the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus. 

Beebe received its shipment from the Delaware Division of Public Health just hours before Rodriquez received the first dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine. A total of five front-line team members received the vaccine today, including Amy Williams, RN, a charge nurse caring for COVID-19 patients, George Parker, Manager of Environmental Services, Dr. Ercilia Arias, a pulmonologist in Beebe’s ICU, and Dawn Adili-Khams, RRT, a respiratory care practitioner. 

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The group of those who received the first vaccinations

“This historic moment exceeded all expectations,” said David A. Tam, MD, MBA, FACHE, President & CEO, Beebe Healthcare. “We have planned and prepared for this, but to witness Beebe’s front-line healthcare workers receive an extra layer of defense against this deadly virus that we all have been battling since March, was truly something special. We know this vaccine is a valuable tool in returning to our pre-pandemic normal. In the coming weeks as more vaccine supplies arrive, Beebe will continue to care for the community. Beebe remains open and safe for all who are in need of care.”

 

Beebe has developed a tiered approach to provide the vaccine to team members based on federal recommendations, which focuses on high-risk groups who come into direct contact with patients. This tiered system was created under the guidance of COVID-19 vaccine playbooks created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of Delaware. As COVID-19 vaccines becomes more widely available for the public, Beebe is finalizing operational plans to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the community.

“I didn’t know I would be the first person in Sussex County, so I am very grateful,” Rodriguez said. “I have worked in the emergency department throughout the pandemic, and I’ve really seen people become very sick. I’m glad that this vaccine can be a tool to end this pandemic.” 

While this vaccine is a boost to the fight against the pandemic, Dr. Chasanov says it is still critical that we all follow the golden rule of the 3Ws this winter and spring until herd immunity can be achieved via the vaccine.

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Ultra cold storage for storing the vaccine

“It will be critical for us all to continue to wear a mask, wash our hands, and watch our distance with those outside of our household,” Dr. Chasanov said. “This vaccine shows promising signs of efficacy and limited and minor side effects, but there is still much to learn about whether the virus can be spread from a vaccinated individual. Still – today was a great day for Beebe, Sussex County, and the state of Delaware.”  

 

 

 

 

Captions: Dr. Ercilia Arias, a pulmonologist in Beebe’s ICU, Amy Williams, RN, a charge nurse caring for COVID-19 patients, George Parker, Manager of Environmental Services,  Sintia Rodriguez, RN, who works in Beebe’s Emergency Department and behavioral health unit, and Dawn Adili-Khams, RRT, a respiratory care practitioner pose for a photo before receiving the first vaccinations in Sussex County. 

Doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech in Beebe Healthcare’s ultra-cold storage.

Sintia Rodriguez, RN, who works in Beebe’s Emergency Department and behavioral health unit, receives the first vaccination in Sussex County from Dr. Bill Chasanov, at the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus.