J.B. Martin gets his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
ELKIN — Though numerous cases of COVID-19 continue to be reported, there is a glimmer of hope as area agencies begin the vaccine roll out. Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital began vaccinating patients age 75 and older at an off-site clinic hosted in the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce Heritage Center building in Elkin on Wednesday.
Andrew Tate, chief practice officer and VP of ambulatory services, said the hospital had the capacity to store the vaccine in extremely cold storage and was receiving 900 doses on a weekly basis. The hospital partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to use the Heritage Center for the off-site clinic and has been fielding more than 400 calls daily from patients eager to schedule their shot.
“It means a lot to me,” J. B. Martin of Dobson said on Wednesday just after he got his first dose of the vaccine. “There are a lot of people around me that’s either got it or had it. I’ve had some friends who died from it. I’m glad we’ve got a vaccine.”
Patients with the various medical offices connected with Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital have been contacted to begin scheduling their vaccine. Tate said the clinic was being manned by around 15 staff members.
“From our perspective, we’re a non profit community hospital, it’s our pleasure to be able to serve this population and be able to offer this to the community,” Tate said.
With sun streaming in through the windows of the Heritage Center on Wednesday and a steady flow of patients arriving for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, there was a joyful atmosphere at the clinic. The response from those coming to the clinic was extremely positive, Tate said.
“It’s been unbelievable. It’s remarkable how appreciative and grateful the community is for this opportunity,” he said.
Tate said many staff members of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital had already received their first dose of the vaccine and they had seen “little to no negative effects.”
All the appropriate safety precautions were being taken at the vaccine clinic with EMS as well as an AED on site in the event any patient experienced an adverse reaction. Patients were being monitored for at least 15 minutes following their shot.
Brandi Poplin, clinical operations supervisor and operations leader for the vaccine clinic, said the vaccine was safe and that patients could expect it to be similar to a flu shot.
“We definitely encourage everyone to take this opportunity,” said Poplin. “This is the lifesaving ingredient we need to bring an end to all this.”
“It’s our goal to have a safe and efficient clinic and be able to get as many people through as safely as we can and as quickly as we can because we know everyone’s really ready to get this,” Poplin added.
In her career as a nurse, Poplin said it is certainly unusual for patients to be so eager for a shot but that was definitely the case with those coming in to the clinic.
“We’re happy to be able to provide this,” she said. “It’s great to be a part of history.”
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital will continue to prioritize vaccinating patients age 75 and older but is now also offering appointments for those age 65 and older. Visit hughchatham.org/covidvaccine to register for an appointment.
The Surry Health Department as well as the Yadkin County Health Departments are also offering vaccine appointments.
The Surry County Health and Nutrition Department can be reached by phone at 336-401-8400 and choose option 8.
For more information on the vaccine clinic in Yadkin County visit https://www.yadkincountync.gov/618/COVID-19-Vaccination or call 336-849-7950.
Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached on Twitter @RippleReporterK.