FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM DECEMBER 17, 2020 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 21
health
Photo by Dean Moses
Frontline healthcare workers at LIJ
receive fi rst COVID-19 vaccinations
BY DEAN MOSES
this pandemic.
At LIJ, the inoculations were distributed
lead by example. I would not ask my staff
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Once administered, Stephanie exclaimed
in waves during press conferences, allowing
to not do anything that I would not do
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happily that she feel great to crowd of
groups of journalists to capture the
myself,” Lindsey said.
onlookers.
scene for the world to see. It was stressed
Distribution will continue over the
Monday marked a historic day in the battle
Amidst the thousands upon thousands
by LIJ offi cials that this vaccination has
course of four to six weeks, depending on
against the COVID-19 pandemic.
who have died due to COVID-19, the
undergone several studies and it is the only
the supply for healthcare workers, health
On Dec. 14, New York hospitals received
landmark vaccine makes its way to cities
way to return to normalcy.
offi cials said.
shipments of the Pfi zer vaccine, and the
throughout the United States just in time
Dowling began by introducing the very
Th e choice for which hospitals would
director of Critical Care at Long Island
for the holidays.
fi rst recipient, Lindsey, to provide everyone
receive the vaccination was based on
Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center, Sandra
At an morning press conference, Dowling
with an update as to how she feels
whether they contained an ultra-cold storage
Lindsey RN, was the very fi rst recipient.
addressed the media by underscoring that
since receiving her vaccination at a little
area for the Pfi zer vaccine vials.
Th e momentous occasion was streamed
although the vaccination is here, individuals
aft er 9:30 a.m.
Th e contents of the vaccine are highly
live at about 9:20 a.m., during which
should not be lax about their precautions.
“Today is special for me. It should give
sensitive, and once removed from the
Governor Andrew Cuomo watched
It is still pivotal that everyone wear
you all hope that fi nally the vaccine is here.
dry ice they were packed in, they must be
remotely, and Northwell Health CEO
their masks, wash their hands and maintain
I feel like the vaccine is safe. I’m confi dent
placed in a freezer within 90 seconds.
Michael Dowling observed in person, as
social distance.
in science. Th is marks the beginning of the
Cuomo devised a hierarchy of who will
Lindsey received her vaccination. A round
“We’ve been at the epicenter of the
end of a very dark time in our lives. So we
receive the vaccinations fi rst: frontline
of applause erupted aft er the vaccine was
COVID crisis back since March. We have
can feel hopeful today. My arm feels fi ne.
healthcare workers with high exposure
injected into her arm.
seen well over 100,000 COVID patients.
It doesn’t feel any diff erent than getting a
to COVID-19 will be fi rst, to be followed
Th is vaccination was followed by two
Today is a very special day, we can now see,
regular vaccine. I feel relieved for myself,
by nursing home staff and individuals
other inoculation recipients — the most
since the vaccine is available, the light at the
for my colleagues who have been working
residing in those facilities.
recent of whom was Stephanie, a registered
end of the tunnel. It is a beautiful opportunity
tirelessly on the frontlines over the past 10
Aft er these vaccinations have been distributed,
nurse, who sat upon the examination chair
for us to be confi dent, hopeful and
months. I can’t thank them enough, as a
individuals who work in high interaction
proudly as she extended her arm, ready to
positive that we can, if we all work together,
leader in the health system I think it was
and essential vocations, such as fi refi ghters
be one of the fi rst to move forward during
end this COVID crisis,” Dowling said.
important for me to take the vaccine and
and teachers would be next on the list.
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