Dawn Steinman, Jewell County Hospital-Rural Health Clinic APRN, vaccinates Paula Hancock, a lab tech-X-Ray technician. It is the first COVID-19 vaccination in Jewell County.
On Thursday, Susan Newell at the Jewell County Rural Health Clinic gave the first COVID-19 vaccine in the county.
The Pfizer vaccine was administered to front line employees at the hospital and to the residents of the long-term care. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) mandates which group of individuals get the vaccine next.
The staff who received the vaccine felt comfortable in getting it. They were excited the vaccine was available to them. Staff and residents are hopeful the vaccine will help in getting COVID under control.
The vaccine consists of a shot in the arm, followed by a booster shot 21 days after the first one. Newell said those who have received the vaccine have reported minimum side effects, the most common being site tenderness. Other side effects that can occur are headaches, a feeling of tiredness and joint pain.
This vaccine was part of the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) which is what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was able to authorize. The vaccine is only approved for those individuals aged 16 and older.
Even though people have received the vaccine, the health department believes it is still important to wear masks, practice social distancing and practice good handwashing.
It is important to talk to your provider about medical conditions such as allergies, heart problems, bleeding problems and diabetes before receiving the vaccine.
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