NCH receives first doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

NOTE: The COVID-19 vaccine is NOT currently available to the general public.

NCH announced the health care system will receive, and begin administering, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday morning.

The hospital system received 5,000 doses of the vaccine that will be distributed to doctors, nurses and frontline workers who have been working tirelessly to fight the virus.

Lynda Pike, a respiratory therapist who works with COVID-19 patients, was the first to get the shot on Wednesday.

“I feel ecstatic I am so excited,” Pike said. “I feel privileged, honored … and I feel hopeful because finally there is strong ammunition against this virus and we can start immunizing the people, the public and move on with our lives.”

Pike encouraged the public to leave fear behind and get vaccinated when their chance comes.

Lynda Pike, Respiratory Therapist, NCH 2:34 “Leave your doubts behind,” Pike said. “Let’s think about it. There’s a lot of science that has gone into the development of this vaccine.”

She said she feels hopeful.

It’s a huge relief for Dr. David Lindner, medical director of NCH’s COVID-19 response team.

“I’ve probably lived in a little bit of fear ever since March that I was going to be treating one of, you know, our own in the ICU,” Lindner said.

While NCH plans to receive the Pfizer vaccine as well as more doses of Moderna, it’s unclear when another shipment will arrive.

“Information will be coming soon to our community on when the general public can receive the vaccine and where,” said NCH CEO Paul Hiltz.