Yesterday, Wednesday, December 16th, 2020, the first person to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Newfoundland and Labrador was a registered nurse.
Ellen Foley-Vick received the very first vaccine at MUNS School of Medicine with Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald administering the shot.
Dr. Jatin Morkar clinical chief with the medicine program also on the front lines received the second vaccine.
Meanwhile, the first person to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Nova Scotia was a Newfoundlander.
Danielle Sheaves a registered nurse received that provinces first vaccine yesterday morning.
Sheaves is a front line worker with the Halifax Infirmary.
Today’s addition, Foley-Vick says she was relieved for herself and others to come. And is grateful to receive the vaccine but also knowing she’s a part of making everyday life safer for patients and families.
Dr. Morkar hopes will ensure this is the beginning of the end of the pandemic.
He adds witnessing the grief of families is something neither he nor his staff will ever forget, adding hopefully that they won’t have to experience that again.
Vaccinations will continue for health care workers and those in the highest risk, categories such as the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.
It’s estimated that the earliest that members of the general public would receive the vaccine will be June.