St. Joes Chelesa begins COVID-19 vaccinations

Lindsey Haley, RN, Nurse at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea receives the first vaccine. Photo courtesy of St. Joesph Mercy Chelsea

St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea has received and administered its first shipment of the FDA-approved Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

The hospital received 1,700 doses, joining six other Trinity Health Michigan hospitals that have begun administering COVID-19 vaccines to front line workers.

The vaccines are being administered on a voluntary basis to health care personnel who meet the CDC-defined criteria of direct patient care to COVID-19 patients, including those working on the COVID units, Intensive Care Unit, and Emergency Department. Employees who work in those departments are being given the opportunity to self-register and make an appointment to obtain the vaccine.

“Today marks a historic moment for our hospital and our community,” said Dr. Alon Weizer, chief medical officer at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. “Our team has worked tirelessly for the past year to care for patients, our community and each other. To have the vaccine arrive days before Christmas is a welcome gift for all of us, and represents an important step to bringing this pandemic under control.”

Trinity Health Michigan hospitals throughout the state expect to continue to receive weekly shipments of both the Pfizer and the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine. Across Trinity Health Michigan, Mercy Health Grand Rapids, Mercy Health Muskegon, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, St. Joseph Mercy Livingston, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland and St. Mary Mercy Livonia have all received their first vaccine shipments. All the hospitals have ultra-cold freezers and are prepared to receive, store, and distribute vaccines over the coming months.

People who are vaccinated must stay committed to the recommended safety guidelines. It is crucial to remain vigilant – avoid crowds, continue physical distancing, wear masks, and continue excellent hand hygiene.

St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea looks forward to offering vaccinations to community members, which it hopes to do in the coming weeks as it works through the CDC and state directed priority list. Information regarding the ability to schedule community members for the COVID-19 vaccination will be provided as soon as it becomes available. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit Saint Joseph Mercy Health System at https://www.stjoeshealth.org/vaccine.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.