Receives 1800 doses of the Moderna vaccine
Enrique Bullon stood up and smiled at the media people around him. “It didn’t hurt,” he announced proudly.
He had made history a moment earlier by getting the first COVID shot at the Kaplan Family Pavilion in Newburgh. He didn’t flinch as the needle pricked his arm. He was busy staring at the photographers.
Mr. Bullon is a medical interpreter for Cornerstone Family Healthcare. His employer received 1,800 doses of the Moderna Vaccine to distribute according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.
The first shots were administered on Dec. 23.
How did Cornerstone decide which employees would be given priority? Dr. Avi Silber, the chief medical officer, said it was based on potential exposure to the disease. No single type of employee was favored. For example, doctors were not due to get the vaccine ahead of nurses.
Cornerstone had been preparing to get the vaccines for weeks. “I’m thrilled that it’s here and have full confidence in the science behind it,” Dr. Silber said.
“We are prepared to do our part to educate and protect our employees, patients and community from the threat of COVID-19.”
It’s been an unusual year for the Cornerstone family.
In the early spring, when the pandemic reached the United States, patients avoided making routine visits. March and April may have been quieter than usual.
But overall, the healthcare workers have been busy.
Linda Muller, the president and CEO, acknowledged their contributions. “I’m incredibly proud of the Cornerstone team,” she said. “They have shown tremendous courage and compassion. I’m excited to be one step closer to claiming victory.”
Mr. Bullon, who received the first shot, suggested this might be the beginning of the end. He did not immediately return to work. He took a seat and remained in the room for observation for 10 minutes. While he sat, reporters peppered him with questions.
The event stirred optimism (and, hopefully, demonstrated that professionals consider the vaccine to be safe). But Dr. Silber offered a few words of caution. “It’s important to understand,” he said, “that we are not in the clear yet. We’re seeing a post-Thanksgiving surge in COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths across the United States. And the number is likely to get higher after the holidays.”
