WINDBER, Pa. (WJAC) — Hospitals in our region have started distributing Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Friday morning, healthcare workers from Chan Soon-Shiong medical center received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Nurse and Director of Acute Care, Christine Spinos was first in line.

“I was very excited to get it. We have been looking forward to it and it’s wonderful that the hospital had the opportunity to be on the first shipments for the vaccine. Quite a number of employees have signed up to get it and I think that’s great,” said Spinos.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Csikos says he and his collogues are hopeful this vaccine could be a step closer to the end of the pandemic.

“I think that they are all excited that the vaccine is finally available. I have been discussing that the vaccine is safe,” said Dr. Csikos. “It’s very effective and this vaccine is going to save lives. It’s going to decrease admissions to the intensive care unit and reduce the number of patients that are going to be placed on ventilators because of COVID complications,” he added.

Although the vaccine isn’t mandatory at Chan Soon-Shiong, Spinos says several of her staff members plan to receive it. And she encourages others to do the same.

“I think that there is enough research out there that proves that it is valuable. Certainly, other people have gotten it in other areas and there have been good results. So, we just need to have faith in the research and go ahead and get it,” said Spinos.

The facility's CEO, Tom Kurtz released the following statement:

I’d like to congratulate the PA Department of Health for getting the COVID-19 vaccines out efficiently despite the snow storm. Our vaccines arrived in a timely manner so that we were able to start administering them today. The kits are complete and include all the materials we need to record and administer the vaccine to our employees. It confirms our belief that the DOH can get these vaccines out to the general public when the time comes.

Those who receive the vaccine will have to come back in 21 days to receive the second dose. After receiving both doses, research says the vaccine is 90% effective.

ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfpMOmvoxqZ2lllaK9rbvYnpysZZGpeqS0wKdkrKefo3q0tMiopaBlopqwprXVnmSfoaKowW6wzqycZqeWYrCwwsidZGpxXauupK%2FIp5w%3D