Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree vaccinated its first staff and physicians against COVID-19 Thursday morning. The hospital received 150 vaccines to begin the inoculations. The medical center’s CEO Karen Faulis said getting the vaccine means the medical staff can take better care of their patients by having the staff immune to the disease. Brian Kim, a certified registered nurse anesthetist who intubates patients and manages their airways, said getting the vaccine means he can worry a little bit less about getting COVID and passing it on to his family.
The COVID-19 vaccine is a two-part vaccine; the staff will have to receive a second vaccination in three weeks. Healthcare personnel, residents and staff of long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, and first responders are the first to receive the vaccine.
The federal government has established a nursing home partnership where Walgreens/CVS will vaccinate residents at the Continuing Care Center, which is expected to begin the week of December 28.
