Photo: First Recipients: Kim Eifler, Housekeeping Staff; Susan Kock, ER Interim Director and Nurse; Dr. Mark Collison, Adult Medicine Physician
The first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Carroll County Tuesday, and the staff at St. Anthony Regional Hospital jumped into action to begin the vaccination of their patient-facing employees at around 1:25 p.m. In a recent interview with Carroll Broadcasting, St. Anthony Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kyle Ulveling, said this is the first step on the road back to a more normal existence.
The distribution, according to Carroll County Public Health nurse Sara Schulte, was mapped out prior to Tuesday’s delivery.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses separated by a minimum of 28 days. St. Anthony staff who received the first shots Tuesday will receive their second immunization on Jan. 19. Common side effects include pain and swelling at the injection site and could include fever, chills, lethargy and headache. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports side effects could be flu-like, but should subside in a few days. Even if you have had side effects, the second immunization should be completed for the vaccine to be effective. It may take up to two weeks after the second inoculation to be protected from COVID exposure. They advise patients contact their healthcare provider if the redness or tenderness increases after 24 hours or if the other side effects do not subside in a few days. Area healthcare facilities will be notifying patients when they are eligible to receive the vaccine.
