Armstrong County hospital says workers will get new COVID-19 vaccine in coming days

ARMSTRONG COUNTY, Pa. — Officials with the Armstrong Center for Medicine and Health said about 30 of the 1000 healthcare workers were not working, either because they tested positive for COVID-19 or because they were exposed and were quarantined. There is some light on the horizon, though, as officials said they’ll get the COVID-19 vaccine in a few days.

Nearly eight months after the hospital had its first patient test positive for coronavirus, COO Nichole Geraci said they’re prepared for another critical milestone.

“We had the opportunity last week to make a decision as to whether we would receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Our pharmacy director placed an order this week for Moderna,” Geraci said.

While the hospital wasn’t equipped with the ultra cold freezers other hospitals have for the Pfizer vaccine, the main reason ACMH went with Moderna is because they’re a smaller hospital and can order the vaccine in fewer doses. Pfizer required at least 975 doses to be ordered at one time.

She said their first shipment should be arriving before the end of December, despite not all of the employees being on board with it. She said she anticipated many people to be cautious about the vaccine and that there needs to be more information about it.

“While we do have staff that have said yes, the majority of our staff right now are still saying that they are unsure,” Geraci said. “I think that’s just because of the uncertainty of something new.”

Hospital officials said this vaccine will help minimize the stress on staff members and keep them healthy to treat others.

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Cox Media Group