Some Region health care providers have reached or surpassed milestones as part of statewide efforts to vaccinate Hoosiers against COVID-19.
Community Healthcare System in Munster recently administered its 50,000th COVID vaccine. The recipient was Nicole Bracik of Dyer.
Through April 19, Franciscan Health had administered 115,293 doses through its specialized clinics.
“We celebrate this accomplishment, but know there’s more work to be done,” said Elizabeth Clements, director of pharmacy at Community Hospital. “With vaccinations now available to people ages 16 and up, we strongly encourage that everyone book their appointment and help protect our community.”
Bracik said her motivation for getting the vaccine was “to protect my family members who could have greater complications if they contract COVID.”
Community Hospital in Munster, one of four Community Healthcare System hospitals, was selected by the Indiana State Department of Health as one of the first healthcare facilities in the state to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine in December. Since then, CHS opened a second vaccine clinic at Community Stroke & Rehabilitation Center in Crown Point.
Community representatives said between its two locations, more than 70,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.
Franciscan Health recently surpassed 115,000 administered COVID-19 vaccines.
“This achievement is a tribute to our COVID-19 vaccine clinic operations team and the many different departments across the system who provided much needed support,” said Dr. Albert Tomchaney, chief medical officer for Franciscan Health. “We are thankful for the hours, flexibility, motivation and dedication our associates have displayed to demonstrate our Franciscan values and fidelity to our Mission.”
Franciscan's clinics began inoculating frontline health care workers in late December after receiving supplies of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. A few weeks later, the Moderna vaccine was brought into use.
Both are two-shot vaccines and were made available after federal health officials granted emergency use authorization.
“As the rate of vaccinations continues to climb, we are inspired to encourage inoculation in our communities, while continuing the masking, hygiene and distancing precautions that will limit further spread of this pandemic,” Tomchaney said.
ISDH reported as of April 15, more than 3 million eligible Hoosiers had received vaccinations, of which 1.6 million have been fully inoculated. Indiana currently is providing vaccinations to people age 16 and older.
