MT VERNON (WSIL) -- December 16, 2020 marked a moment in history at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
Just after 3 p.m., Dr. Thejeswi Pujar became the first person in 九游体育 Illinois to receive the coveted COVID-19 vaccine.
"We haver reached the stage where we can start looking at a vaccine as a way to prevent the disease," Pujar said.
AWAITING THE VACCINE
The vaccines were scheduled to arrive around 12:30 p.m., with vaccinations set to go at 1 p.m. Delays in delivery pushed that time by a few hours.
Anticipation grew inside of a conference room where Dr. Pujar would be immunized in front of colleagues and media.
When the vaccine arrived, Dr. Pujar removed his coat, gave his consent, sat in his chair and raised his right sleeve. Within seconds, the vaccine punctured his skin and the vaccine coursed through his veins.
Dr. Pujar was delighted to be the first to receive the vaccine. He's confident that it's the best weapon into use in the pandemic.
"It's still too early for us to know the long-term side effects, but it's quite unlikely," Pujar said.
A TURNING POINT
Following Dr. Pujar was registered nurse Peggy Shuler, the second person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The groundbreaking shot put to rest her daily fear of going to work.
"It is exciting and I'm happy that we have the vaccine," Shuler said. "I feel like it's going to be a turning point in this pandemic."
Registered nurse Brittany Dominguez went third, after hearing she'd be one of the first to be vaccinated the night before.
Dominguez, admittedly, was skeptical about the vaccine initially. But looking at the research and speaking to colleagues convinced her to sleeve up.
"This honestly is what has to be done. There's no other way. We have to vaccinate people," Dominguez said.
QUICK TURNAROUND
Experts didn't expect a vaccine until 2021. But Dr. Pujar says the advances in science allowed researchers to develop a vaccine in record-time.
The proverbial needle in the haystack has arrived, the first real shot at ending the pandemic.
"Trying to control... prevent the infection is better than treating it," Dr. Pujar said. "I would urge people to go for the vaccine."
SSM Health doled out 80 vaccinations at Good Samaritan and 75 at St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia Wednesday. SSM expects to give out 575 immunizations by Friday.
