ProMedica staff begins receiving vaccines

It was as though Christmas morning had come again.Frontline workers at ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital began receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine bright and early Monday morning. You could say it was a shot in the arm for the sense of security of the 60 recipients."They were happy to have that line of defense for COVID," Jessica Hover, a senior public relations specialist for ProMedica said. "They all seemed to feel real comfortable and ready to get them."All of those who were vaccinated have been on the front line — attending to actual and potential coronavirus patients — since the virus took its grip on the world in March, Hover said. COVID-19 is highly contagious and potentially deadly, especially to elderly people who are already facing health difficulties. As of Monday afternoon, more than 20,000,000 people had contracted the virus in the United States and more than 350,000 had died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Leslie Zenz, a registered nurse who is director of clinical operations for the ProMedica Physicians Group, is overseeing the system's vaccine clinics."Everyone is very happy and excited," she said of the local vaccine recipients. "The Fostoria staff feels it's a great day."Registered nurse Erin Podach was one of those who received a shot during Monday's session, which began at 7 a.m. Monday after the vaccine arrived at the hospital during the weekend."I was really excited to get the vaccine today," Podach said. "It is something I can do to hopefully get this thing under control."Hover said all FCH employees will be offered the opportunity to receive the vaccine. A news release from ProMedica on Monday said current recipients of vaccinations are essential healthcare workers and personnel caring for COVID-19 patients.The release said the vaccine will be available to all Ohioans as the availability of doses increases. In the meantime, the release said, continued frequent hand washing, the wearing of facemasks and social distancing will help reduce the spread of the virus.More information is available at website www.promedica.org.