Healthcare professionals expect the COVID-19 vaccine to be a game-changer in the battle against the virus.
The first shipments of the vaccine arrived at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Yazoo this week, where staff members will receive the first injections in an effort to make the hospital safer.
Becky Duggan, director of nursing, said that frontline workers will be the first to receive the vaccine. Next will be staff members who do not directly treat patients.
Supplies of the vaccine are limited due to worldwide demand so the hospital has established a schedule for distribution.
“After our staff has been vaccinated we will move on to first responders at Pafford (ambulance service) and other front line workers in the community as the vaccine becomes available,” Duggan said.
Duggan said the hospital expects to receive weekly shipments of the vaccine in limited quantities.
Duggan said she hopes that healthcare workers getting the vaccine first will also help ensure the public that it is safe when it becomes widely available.
“It’s important that enough people get the vaccine in order for it to work,” she said.
