CHI Franciscan ramps up COVID-19 vaccinations across hospital system

CHI Franciscan said it had administered 550 doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to health workers across its hospital system by Wednesday night and by Friday expected to finish the rest of its initial shipment of roughly 2,000 doses that arrived Monday.

“Every single vial represents a life saved here in the future,” said CHI Franciscan Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael H. Anderson. “We’re anticipating additional shipments at the end of this week.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Anderson said he was not aware of any allergic reactions amongst the hundreds of CHI Franciscan health workers who had received the vaccine. On Tuesday, doctors say a health worker in Alaska had a serious allergic reaction shortly after taking Pfizer’s vaccine but was stable after an overnight hospital stay.

“Approximately 10 minutes later she felt flush,” said Dr. Lindy Jones, an emergency room doctor at the Juneau hospital who described the allergic reaction. He said the health worker also had a rash and elevated heart rate, requiring medication. “Felt a little bit short of breath, then was transferred to the emergency room.”

Dr. Anderson said CHI Franciscan also hadn’t had any mishaps like in New Mexico, where this week state officials said 75 doses of the vaccine went bad after overheating during delivery to a hospital.

With possible approval later this week of Moderna’s vaccine, CHI Franciscan said it’s preparing to receive shipments of those doses when available. Dr. Anderson said the hospital system hopes all of the health workers they’re responsible for are vaccinated by the end of January, and can then begin other groups in the community, with a commitment to eventually vaccinate first responders.

CHI Franciscan said it’s also preparing for referrals from public health officials to serve local independent health care providers who don’t have direct access to the vaccine or the ultra-cold freezers needed to handle it.

“As long as the vaccine continues to arrive, we’ll find shoulders to give the injections to,” said Dr. Anderson.

Cox Media Group