Sumner Regional Medical Center (SRMC) received and administered its first doses of the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine on Wednesday, December 23. An employee-nominated group of seven front-line healthcare workers were the first to receive the vaccine during a brief, socially distanced gathering shortly after lunch in the Sumner Regional lobby.

The hospital has now begun the process of vaccinating the remainder of its employees and medical staff. Those at the front of the line today represented a variety of team members essential to the hospital's Covid-19 operations.

"From the chief medical officer to our environmental services staff, everyone is an essential part of what we're doing to fight this pandemic," said Isabelle Garibaldi, RN, DNP, chief nursing officer at Sumner Regional Medical Center.

"We are thankful to be able give these healthcare heroes the vaccine to help protect them and their loved ones for all they have done for our community."

While the arrival of the vaccine means that an end to the pandemic may be within reach, it will take everyone doing their part to make this a reality. Vaccine administration has begun with our frontline healthcare workers. As soon as the vaccine becomes more broadly available, we strongly encourage our community to get vaccinated.

Our fight is not over. We must all commit to practicing safe behaviors and being cautious in the months ahead. Choosing to get vaccinated, continuing to wear masks, maintaining social distancing and practicing hand hygiene until the vaccination is widely administered are all crucial tools in the fight against Covid-19.