Front line healthcare workers are first here to receive COVID-19 vaccine

GREENFIELD — Adair County Public Health Director Jane Ernst administered the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to a group of front line healthcare workers Monday, signifying a next step in the pandemic here.

Adair County received its allotment of doses last week. The vaccine is given in two parts, so those receiving vaccines this week will return for another dose later in January. The Moderna vaccine was approved for emergency use recently by the Food and Drug Administration.

Three of those receiving the vaccine at Adair County Health System this week were Dr. Timothy Piearson, D.O.; Director of Nursing Sandy Atkinson and Erika Kitt, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Piearson stated that he felt it is good knowing there is now something available that will help combat such a “proactive” pandemic. He hopes that everyone will be able to have access to the vaccine soon.

Also in this first phase of those to receive the vaccine are residents and staff of long term care facilities. Essential workers from the education, food and agriculture, utility, law enforcement, firefighting and transportation sectors come next. Adults who are high-risk and 65 years of age or older will come after that.

Piearson said he has no concerns about receiving the vaccine, but he has received many questions about the safety of the vaccine or how quickly it was developed.

“Normal vaccine development can take 12 to 18 months. We have been fighting this pandemic for a year now and a lot of companies have given this vaccine top priority, so even though it seems it may have been rushed, it has not,” Piearson said. “Trials have been undertaken and safety procedures have been followed. There is a lot of good information out there and unfortunately there is a lot of bad information as well.”

Furthermore, Piearson stated recently in the newspaper that he was once positive for COVID-19. He said the fact that he contracted the virus did not change his decision to be vaccinated.

“After having the virus, it appears that the person has antibodies for up to 90 days which should provide some immunity from getting the virus again during that time,” he said. “The vaccine is designed to help keep people from getting the virus and increasing a previously infected person’s immune system to provide more immunity beyond 90 days.”

Atkinson stated she feels that it is important that the individual concerns people have are validated and questions they have are answered.

“Unfortunately there are always a sect of people who will react to vaccines. Every individual has the right to make an informed decision about the medications they put into their body,” Atkinson said. “After weighing the evidence, I feel that the benefit far outweighs the risk.”

Kitt said her decision to be vaccinated from the virus was one that had more to do with others than herself.

“I’m getting the vaccine not just to protect myself from getting COVID but more importantly my loved ones, co-workers and patients,” Kitt said.