News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
As COVID cases in the Upper Cumberland continue to rise, two Cookeville Regional Medical Center employees received the first vaccines in Putnam County Saturday.
Family practice physician Dr. Jane Gotcher and registered nurse Amy Garrett were administered the first part of the Pfizer vaccine. CRMC CEO Paul Korth said this is the first of over 800 vaccinations for frontline medical workers.
“We are very thankful for administration, the government for allowing us to have this first allotment of shipment,” Korth said. “Today will start a day of the next several days of vaccinations here at the medical center for our staff and our providers.”
The vaccination process started with both Gotcher and Garrett exposing their left arms to be disinfected. Then, a simple shot was delivered. Gotcher said it felt like a regular flu shot.
“I also investigate everything I do for my patients,” Gotcher said. “I read every single night peer reviewed scientific articles about COVID and how we treat it. I feel extremely comfortable having received the vaccine. I have seen in my lifetime how vaccines have made a huge difference.”
Garrett said she is thankful to be able to receive the vaccine.
“I am really excited to have received the vaccine today,” Garrett said. “(…) I am really proud of this facility, all my co-workers, all the providers, all the nurses, all the home teams. It has been great teamwork, and hopefully, this vaccine is the turning point.”
Korth said Saturday marked the first step of a long recovery process of the region.
“We still have a long ways to go with the COVID-19 virus,” Korth said. “We still got to get our general population vaccinated. I encourage everyone in our community when the vaccine is available, please please take this vaccine.”
Director of Pharmacy Casey White during the media event said the side effects for the 94 percent efficacy vaccine are limited.
“We don’t really see a whole lot severe adverse reactions or side effects, as most people will call them,” White said. “With the first dose, most people don’t really feel anything. The only thing about the first dose is priming the pump. You get the body ready to make the antibodies you need. When the second dose comes along, you might feel a little something after that.”
For the Pfizer vaccine, the next shot comes 21 days after the first dose. White said like the flu vaccination, you might feel a few COVID symptoms after the second shot. White said four out of five people will also feel muscle pain in their arm.
