HRMC Begins COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution to its Healthcare Workers

VARNVILLE, S.C. (December 17, 2020) - Following Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, vaccinations of healthcare workers at Hampton Regional Medical Center are underway.

Following its arrival to Hampton Regional, Jason Crosby, RN, Dialysis/Emergency Department, was the first employee to receive the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Thursday morning. Gwen Smith, RN, Clinical Documentation Specialist, administered the vaccination.

"Today was both an exciting and emotional day for our hospital," said Dave Hamill, CEO, HRMC. "Many of our healthcare heroes bravely cared for patients on the frontlines throughout this pandemic. We are proud of our dedicated care team members for their selfless contributions, courage, and unwavering commitment to protecting the health of our patients, staff, and community."

To ensure its vaccine distribution plans are equitable and safe, the hospital continues to work closely with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other local and state agencies.

"The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine certainly offers a ray of hope that we are nearing the end of this pandemic," added Hamill. "However, we must not let our guards down or become complacent. As we await vaccine supplies to become more widely available, I strongly encourage everyone to continue practicing preventative measures, including social distancing, hand washing, and wearing face masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community."

For the latest COVID-19 vaccination information, refer to the state department of health's website at SCDHEC.gov or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at CDC.gov.