MIAMI, Dec. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Baptist Health South Florida began administering the first COVID-19 vaccines for their frontline healthcare workers. The Pfizer vaccines arrived to the Baptist Health campus early this morning, where about 500 caregivers are expected to receive the vaccine today.
Daphne Pierre, R.N., an ICU nurse at South Miami Hospital, was the first to receive the vaccine. This marks a milestone moment for Baptist Health and our entire community in the fight against COVID-19.
“Getting vaccinated is the right thing to do for yourself, your loved ones and our community,” said Madeline Camejo, chief pharmacy officer at Baptist Health, in a press conference today. “It’s the humanitarian thing to do.”
On December 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Agency (FDA) issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older. The Emergency Use Authorization allows the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in the U.S.
Baptist Health received an initial allotment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and will be offering it to employees and caregivers on a voluntary basis in phases, by pre-determined groups. The FDA is expected to meet on December 17 to review Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. If approved for emergency use, healthcare organizations in Florida, including Baptist Health, could receive Moderna’s vaccine as early as the week of December 21.
Ms. Camejo, who is charged with leading the healthcare system’s vaccination efforts across four counties, added, “We must all do our part by continuing to wear masks, socially distance and wash our hands.”
For downloadable BROLL and SOTs of this morning’s activities: https://vimeo.com/491651351
For downloadable photos: https://newsroom.baptisthealth.net/multimedia-post/
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About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, more than 23,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Attachments
- Daphne Pierre, ICU Nurse at South Miami Hospital, receives first COVID-19 vaccine at Baptist Health_resize
- Madeline Camejo, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Baptist Health, unpacks first COVID-19 vaccines_resize