Health & Fitness
Vassar Medical Center Administers 1st Coronavirus Vaccine
The first group of employees to get the vaccine will be made up of those who are at the highest risk of the disease.
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The first vaccinations for the new coronavirus at Vassar Brothers Medical Center were administered Monday.
The vaccines were given to hospital employees, according to a hospital spokesman.
Vaccines will be doled out based on risk of exposure because limited doses are currently available.
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Dr. Jeff Nicastro, interim chief medical officer for Nuvance Health, said the first group of employees to get the vaccine will be made up of those who directly care for patients and have a high risk of exposure, such as in COVID-19 units.
The second group will be comprised of those who indirectly care for patients and, thus, have a low risk of exposure.
Find out what's happening in Mid Hudson Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Nicastro said more vaccines are expected to be available early next year.
He said vaccine appointments are not being scheduled at this time, nor are waiting lists being created.
"2020 has been one of the most challenging years many of us have ever experienced," Nicastro said. "Hopefully the availability of vaccines will speed the end to the pandemic."
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