MarinHealth Receives First Shipment of COVID-19 Vaccine
Frontline Worker Inoculation Currently Under Way
MarinHealth today announced it has received its first allotment of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine that was authorized and sent across the country earlier this week. The hospital will follow the Marin Public Health framework for distribution. Those at the highest risk for exposure or complications from COVID-19 will be vaccinated first.
“MarinHealth’s front line nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients will receive the first, small batches of the new, rigorously-tested vaccine,” said Dr. David Klein, CEO at MarinHealth. “This critical weapon will allow us to attack this pandemic head on and offers Bay Area residents a light at the end of the tunnel.”
“What we know today is that getting vaccinated can prevent someone from getting the virus,” said Dr. Karin Shavelson, Chief Medical Officer at MarinHealth. “It can also protect those around you from getting infected. Marin County Public Health is rigorously reviewing the research to ensure that any vaccines meet clinical standards.”
As of today, more than 100 MarinHealth front-line workers have received the vaccine. As additional vaccines are approved in the coming days, MarinHealth expects supplies to grow rapidly, enabling the hospital to expand inoculation to all staff and providers by early 2021.
“The initial batch of vaccines will help protect those at greatest risk of infection and help us begin to turn a corner on this pandemic,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Public Health Officer for Marin County. “As we wait for vaccine production to increase, it’s crucial we do not let our guard down. Avoiding gatherings and incorporating mask wearing, physical distancing, good hand hygiene into your daily routine are crucial to protect the rest of our community. With everyone’s continued cooperation on these matters, we can, together, bring this pandemic to an end.”
About MarinHealth
MarinHealth encompasses respected local healthcare resources that have served the Marin County community since 1952. Marin County residents appreciate Marin’s healthy lifestyle and transformative natural environment. In keeping with the values and needs of this unique community, MarinHealth is dedicated to treating the whole patient, mind, body, and spirit. MarinHealth Medical Center, the MarinHealth Medical Network, and their ancillary services all share the same patient-centric philosophy of care.
Media Contact
Jamie Maites
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Office: 1-415-925-7424
Mobile: 1-240-506-8556
Email: jamie.maites@mymarinhealth.org
Laine J. Hendricks
Lead Public Information Officer, County of Marin
Telephone: 1-415-473-7496
Mobile: 1-415-359-4508
Email: lhendricks@marincounty.org
