Health care workers at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., were the first in the nation to receive the H1N1 vaccine on Monday, Oct. 5. The hospital received the first doses of the nasal spray version of the vaccine and began administering them to employees.
Among the first to receive the vaccine at Le Bonheur were doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists who work in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Units. Pediatric and medicine-pediatric resident physicians and pediatric infectious disease attendings and fellows were also among the first group to be vaccinated. Le Bonheur Children’s will receive more vaccinations and will continue to immunize health care workers.
“The CDC has designated health care workers as a high priority group to receive the H1N1 vaccine due to their exposure to the virus. It’s important that our health care system is able to respond to the needs of our patients. This vaccine is one way we as health care workers can make sure we’re healthy and there for our patients when they need us,” said Keith English, MD, medical director of infectious disease, Le Bonheur Children’s.
Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said, “Today we are beginning to turn the tide in the fight against the H1N1 flu virus. We are excited to begin to protect those who care for others.”
About 150 individuals lined up outside the tent. Le Bonheur nurse Holly Smith was the first to receive the vaccine. The mother of two works in the Infant Care Unit and was eager to be vaccinated to protect her patients and families.
“We’ve been planning for this day and the rapid distribution of supplies and vaccine, and the plan in Tennessee is working,” said Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, Susan R. Cooper, M.S.N., R.N. “I am so pleased with the turnout of health care workers here at Le Bonheur Children’s. We have direct care providers here ready and waiting to be protected, and there will be no delay in the vaccination process.”
For more information about the two types of vaccines from the CDC:
Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center is a leading children's hospital in the Mid South, providing pediatric care to children from 95 counties in six states.
50 N. Dunlap Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103 • (901) 287-KIDS
