LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Five health care workers were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Baptist Health Louisville Wednesday morning.
"Myself included, none of the experts thought we'd get so far, so quickly," Dr. Subin Jain, a pulmonologist and critical care doctor with Baptist Health said.
Following recommendations from the CDC, Baptist Health Louisville is using the initial 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine it received to vaccinate frontline workers first.
"We are grateful for the opportunity to offer this vaccine to our frontline employees who are caring for our most vulnerable patients," said Larry Gray, President of Baptist Health Louisville. "We eagerly look forward to the day that the vaccine is most readily available to provide needed protection for all of our families and neighbors."
The following employees were the first to receive the vaccine:
- Dr. Subin Jain - Pulmonologist and Critical care doctor
- Frank Porter, BS RRT - Respiratory therapist
- Dr. Anna Hart, MD - Infectious disease physician
- Krista Kirby, RN - Critical Care Unit charge nurse
- Rene White, RN - COVID unit nurse
"It's been exhausting. We're weary, we're tired and we're scared as well and we're standing at the bedside of these patients who are also scared," Kirby said.
All 975 doses should be given out by next week, just in time for Christmas. It's a voluntary vaccine, up for grabs to any one of the 22,500 employees across the network, all considered Frontline workers.
"It's just a typical shot," White said. "I'm not experiencing any side effects. I'm alive. I'm breathing. Don't be scared."
Five of Baptist Health's nine hospitals were chosen to distribute the first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine to healthcare workers. Baptist Health Floyd in Indiana is expecting shipments of the vaccine to arrive later in the week.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.