Healthcare workers began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations Friday at IU Health Arnett, in the first phase of the state’s plan to inoculate Hoosiers against the coronavirusin the coming months.
Roughly several hundred people can be vaccinated at the facility per day. IU Arnett will vaccinate healthcare workers from Tippecanoe, Fountain, Warren, and Benton counties. The hospital received a shipment of 975 doses this week, with more expected to arrive next Tuesday.
“But we think there’s going to be more that’s in that shipment, because of the extra that’s in each vial,” said IU Health Arnett Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jim Bien, referring to reports that vaccine vials have been overfilled with additional doses. “We’re finding that’s true, that it appears that we’re getting more than the five doses from each vial, which is awesome. And we will not waste a dose.”
Dr. Thomas Meyer, an infectious diseases physician, made his way down the row of vaccination spaces Friday morning, each separated by a blue curtain. Mallori Walker, a pediatric nurse practitioner, offered to give Meyer his first dose.
“It’s a big day,” Meyer said. “Let’s get started. Where’s your little cubby?”
“No pressure, giving the shot to Dr. Meyer,” Walker joked.
She sanitized her hands, donned a pair of gloves, and asked Meyer about his history of anaphylactic reactions. (Some recipients of the vaccine have had such reactions after being vaccinated.)
“The whole COVID-19 pandemic has been fascinating, frightening, exhausting,” Meyer said. “Everyone in the healthcare area getting their sleeves rolled and getting ready to take care of patients -- it’s been inspiring.”
Meyer said he’s taken social distancing very seriously since the start of the pandemic, limiting outside activities, not eating in restaurants, and foregoing Thanksgiving.
“Once I’ve had both vaccines, I’ll be a little more relaxed,” Meyer said. “You know, I’ll still wear my mask in public. But I can go visit my parents in Arizona and not have to worry about carrying a silent virus that could kill them. This is huge.”
“We are ready,” Walker said. “Which arm would you like?”
Meyer sat down and got his shot in his right arm; Walker covered it with a Band-Aid. They posed for a picture.
“Vaccine buddies!” Meyer cheered.
Then he walked just a few yards away to an observation area, where the vaccinated are monitored for 15 minutes for adverse reactions.
Bien said the start of the vaccination process brought a sense of optimism and relief -- but the emotions remain complex.
“Many of the people who are walking around here are witnessing suffering at an immense rate,” Bien said. “They are -- you know, they are holding people’s hands when they die, with the iPhone FaceTimed to a family member somewhere else. They are working for days and days and days on people who are gradually getting worse and worse. They’re also participating in the recovery care of individuals -- but the suffering they’re witnessing is taking a toll.”
After 21 days, vaccine recipients will return for dose number two.