How Our Hospitalists are Protecting You Against COVID-19
Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine in individuals 16 years of age and older in the United States. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccination Series includes two doses, given intramuscularly, three weeks apart. As Florida enters week four of its vaccination approach, we remain hopeful in reaching a turning point in the pandemic. Thanks to the tireless efforts of scientific and public health experts, Advanced Care Hospitalists team members were among some of the first to receive the vaccine.
What We Are Doing to Keep You Safe
The COVID-19 vaccine not only helps to protect health care workers, but also helps to keep our patients safe, too. Advanced Care Hospitalists is proud to share that our own Dr. Gulab Sher (Internal Medicine), and team members Mindy, Alicia, Chloe, and Laura received their first COVID-19 vaccine at the start of the year.
Mindy, Alicia, and Laura received their vaccines at Winter Haven Hospital, while Dr. Sher and Chloe received their vaccinations at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. “I feel comfortable and supported by both BayCare and ACH,” said Dr. Sher. “I believe we have prioritized the vaccine in the right way by first vaccinating the frontline health care workers. This process was incredibly organized from the time we walked through the door, to how the vaccination tasks were divided up by the various team members.”
A New Horizon
As we continue to navigate the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, it is our hope that immunity levels in the community will continue to rise. According to Healthline, available data suggests that after two doses, the vaccine is 95 percent effective at preventing COVID-19. So far, research has also found that the vaccine has a good safety profile.
At ACH, the safety and well-being of our patients and staff remain our top priority. Health care personnel continue to be on the front line of our nation’s fight against this pandemic. Our team members have considered all potential benefits and risks associated with the COVID-19 vaccine. We recognize the consequence(s) of not having immunity to the virus and are doing our part to control transmission and save lives. As part of an essential workforce of nearly 21 million health care support staff, we vow to protect our patients, their families, our surrounding communities, and our country as best as we possibly can.
Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is voluntary. In the future, and as the FDA receives more data, the vaccine might be deemed necessary for all, or at least for many health care workers. We will continue to keep out staff and patients updated as vaccine access continues to grow.
Contact Advanced Care Hospitalists to Learn More
ACH is a Lakeland-based hospitalist group providing comprehensive patient care in community hospitals across Central Florida. If you are interested in learning more about our programs, services, providers or becoming a partner facility, please call us at 863-816-5884 or fill out a contact form online.
