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The first of Rock County’s COVID-19 vaccine arrived at Sanford Luverne last week, marking a pivotal moment in the community’s response to the pandemic.
For many of them, the experience was emotional and celebratory.
“I cannot even express how meaningful it is,” Dr. Judy Chesley said about receiving her COVID-19 vaccination. “Tears of joy. Really.”
In a Dec. 18 social media post, she said she hopes the vaccine alleviates anxiety about her family and her health care family becoming seriously ill or dying from the virus.
“I’ve been in Luverne over 20 years, and I’ve never had this many people so sick for so long — young and old, healthy and unhealthy,” Chesley wrote. “Nobody deserves that.”
Dr. Zach Nolz was among the first Sanford Luverne staff members to receive the vaccine.
He echoed Chesley’s sentiments. “There was a feeling of joy and relief in the facility on Friday after our first round of vaccinations.
“I have seen the destruction this virus can do first-hand, and this vaccine will help keep me and our health care team safe so we can keep taking care of our patients.”
He said the vaccine provides another important tool toward conquering the pandemic.
We are all so relieved that we are less likely to bring COVID home to our loved ones and that we have established another layer of protection for our most vulnerable patients.”
He said he looks forward to the vaccine being available community-wide. “I would urge everyone to take it.”
So far, more than 90 Sanford Luverne personnel received the vaccine since it arrived Dec. 18 and another 75 to 80 will be immunized between now and Dec. 30.
“This is a big day for us, and a milestone moment in the fight against COVID-19,” said Tammy Loosbrock, senior director at Sanford Luverne and Sanford Health Rock Rapids.
“We recognize this is only the beginning of a long process to vaccinate our community, but having a safe and effective vaccine is a huge step in the right direction to help bring the pandemic under control.”
Sanford Health expects to continue receiving weekly shipments of vaccine, with initial doses prioritized for front-line health care workers and long-term care residents.
The guidelines for vaccination priorities are set by the CDC.
The next to be immunized will be adults over 75 and frontline workers, including teachers, police officers, fire fighters, prison officers, grocery store workers.
The next priority will be adults over 65 and adults with high-risk medical conditions. This phase will also include essential non-frontline workers, construction, waste, trucking, food service, etc.
In later phases the vaccine will be available at settings like pharmacies or primary care providers, and people will be able to make an appointment to get it.
‘Please stop politicizing it’
Dr. Chesley meanwhile is urging the community to take the pandemic seriously.
“It’s a real concern,” Chesley wrote. “It’s not me or my family or friends sitting around watching TV, wringing our hands, and dreaming up problems. It’s here at my doorstep.”
Chesley’s post generated more than 70 comments and 85 shares, many of them from the medical community.
“Thank you for that message,” wrote Sanford Luverne employee Sue Sandbulte. “I had tears today, too, as I got my vaccination. What a great day! God bless all our health care workers. … There is real hope in this vaccine backed by scientists and doctors. Praise God!”
Sanford Luverne Clinic Director Laurie Jensen replied to Chesley’s post.
“Amen! I felt real joy yesterday for the first time in months,” Jensen wrote. “I pray we get to public vaccination very soon.”
In her remarks Friday, Chesley strongly encouraged the public to avoid spreading misinformation about the pandemic.
“Please stop politicizing it. … It diminishes the lives lost,” Chesley said. “Those lives were all precious.”
Along those same lines, she warned people to avoid disinformation about the vaccine.
“Quit spreading false crap about microchips, trackers, fetal tissue and heavy metals being in the vaccine. It’s not true,” she shared on Facebook.
“For those who are wearing masks and socially distancing, thanks and keep it up. For those of you that are not, it’s never too late to do the right thing.”