SRMC’s Shawn Millison, RN, received his COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, from Karen Campf, RN. (Submitted photo)

SALEM — Salem Regional Medical Center launched its first official day of providing Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to frontline health care workers and physicians. SRMC expects to administer all of the 580 doses it has received through a joint distribution from the county, Salem and East Liverpool health departments.

“This is a remarkable milestone for our staff, who have been tirelessly fighting COVID-19 since March,” said Anita Hackstedde, M.D., SRMC’s president/CEO. “We are so proud of their dedication and compassion, and are delighted to offer this important safeguard, which will help protect them as they care for our patients.”

Based on federal and state recommendations and the limited number of doses, SRMC staff and physicians who have the highest risk of repeated and prolonged exposure to COVID-19 patients are being offered the first opportunity to receive the vaccination. This initial group includes frontline staff providing direct patient care and support services, and then the vaccine roll-out will be expanded to include SRMC’s remaining staff and physicians.

“Over the next few weeks, we anticipate that all of our staff, affiliated physicians and advanced practice providers will be given the opportunity to receive the vaccine,” Dr. Hackstedde added.

Vaccines will be administered in a series of vaccine clinics scheduled through the end of December and into January. SRMC expects to receive additional shipments of the vaccine in 28 days to fulfill the two-dose requirement to achieve immunity.

Hackstedde noted that the vaccine is strongly encouraged for staff, but is not mandatory. She advised that universal masking will continue to be required for all staff and physicians.

“While the arrival of the vaccine is great news in the fight to defeat COVID-19, we need to encourage high rates of vaccination if we hope to overcome this virus,” she continued. “The vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective based on the rigorous scientific and regulatory processes that have been used during its development. As caregivers, our essential role in protecting the health and well-being of our communities goes well beyond the care we provide, to serving as trusted voices and advocates for good health. We are very proud of our staff, who are stepping up and getting vaccinated to protect themselves and those they cherish.”

SRMC continues to work in partnership with the county’s vaccination task force to coordinate the distribution of the vaccine in accordance with ODH’s guidelines for a phased approach. As Ohio’s vaccine supply increases in the future, SRMC will help in the coordination of the community vaccine schedule when vaccine shipments are expanded and doses become available to the broad community.