NMMC administering first round of COVID-19 vaccine to frontline workers

The hospital began administering the vaccine to frontline workers Thursday.

Doctor described as overwhelming.... earlier this week, national guard members dropped off nearly two thousand vaccines to hospital pharmacists, where it was stored in extremely cold temperatures before being administered.

Chief medical officer jeremy blanchard said over 120 employees who work directly with coronavirus patients got the vaccine today.

Wtva's alexis jones spoke with a doctor about the humbling experience and why she says you should also get vaccinated.

Here at the north misissippi medical center, the very first person in lee county got the coronavirus vaccine.

She is a frontline worker who finally is seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

"if you seen as many covid deaths and the suffering that i and others have seen, it is a welcome breath of fresh air."

Dr. mindy prewitt is the first person in lee county to get the vaccine.

Prewitt is an infectious disease physician who works closely with coronavirus patients.

Dr. prewitt said she is happy to lead by example, but her patients are the ones who deserved to be the first.

Sot: "it's an honor an a privilege to receive the vaccine today but certainly does not mean i'm any more deserving than anybody else.

Certainly there are a lot more who are more deserving than i.

More than 120 workers and providers took the vaccine.

Nurses split up into four rooms to give the vaccine to one employees at a time.

Pulmonary doctor jaime ungo was one of the many professionals standing in line.

Dr. ungo said he's grateful the vaccine will help protect him and each person he comes in contact with.

Sot: "it's a horrible disease.

It's horrible to see it, it's horrible to witness, and it's very hard for us to treat.

Because we don't have specific treatments yet so having a vaccine available or a series of vaccines available to prevent the disease is wonderful news for us."

Everyone will have to get a second dose after 21 days.

Dr. prewitt said her prayers are with those who haven't gotten the vaccine yet and are still suffering.

Sot: "hang in there.

I think that the vaccine is one piece and one step that help is on the way."

Dr. prewitt also wants everyone to know she feeling great.

She said symptoms are good sign to know she feeling great.

She said symptoms are good sign that the vaccine is working.

In tupelo.

Alexis jones.

Wtva 9 news.

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