Cleveland Clinic Martin Health begin COVID-19 vaccinations for frontline caregivers
December 21, 2020
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Martin Health received their first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 21.
Indian River Hospital began vaccinating caregivers Monday afternoon and Martin Health is scheduled to begin Dec. 22.
The first vaccines to arrive were manufactured by Pfizer. More are expected this week to come from Moderna.
“Providing a vaccine for our caregivers is an important step in the fight against COVID-19,” said Greg Rosencrance, MD, President, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. “Protecting our caregivers will enhance our ability to provide care for the communities we serve throughout this global health crisis.”
A multidisciplinary team across Cleveland Clinic Florida has been working to plan the logistics and ensure the effective storage and safe distribution of vaccines. That includes working with federal, state and local authorities on how the vaccines will be distributed and guidelines on which people may receive the vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary for Cleveland Clinic caregivers and will be distributed using a phased approach. The first phase emphasizes those job roles that interact directly with COVID-19 patients or those who may potentially interact with COVID-positive patients. As supply allows, every caregiver is strongly encouraged to receive a vaccine.
“The vaccine is a light at the end of the tunnel and we are grateful to be able to provide it to our caregivers who have done so much throughout this pandemic,” said Robert L. Lord Jr., President, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health. “There is much work left to do but the vaccine will help us in our efforts to manage the virus.”
COVID-19 vaccines may not be widely available for the public until several months into 2021. That means we must all continue taking important precautions to help slow the spread of the virus. This includes wearing a mask, frequent hand washing and sanitizing, social distancing and limiting gatherings.
About the Cleveland Clinic Florida region
The Cleveland Clinic Florida region is a nonprofit, multi-specialty healthcare provider that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. The Florida region now includes Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, and Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, with five hospitals and numerous outpatient centers in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River Counties. The Florida region is an integral part of Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where providing outstanding patient care is based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Physicians at Cleveland Clinic are experts in the treatment of complex conditions that are difficult to diagnose. For more information about Cleveland Clinic Florida, visit www.clevelandclinicflorida.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.