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A real shot in the armFree Access

Vaccine arrives in county


Dr. Mimi Carter, chief of staff at John C. Fremont Hospital, receives her Covid-19 vaccine last week at the clinic. Doses of the vaccine are being distributed nationwide. Photo by Christina Manuel

Dr. Mimi Carter, chief of staff at John C. Fremont Hospital, receives her Covid-19 vaccine last week at the clinic. Doses of the vaccine are being distributed nationwide. Photo by Christina Manuel

It was a true moment in Mariposa County history — and that’s saying something.

Last Thursday morning, in the discreet offices of the Mariposa County Health Department, the first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine were stored away in coolers with dry ice, waiting for distribution.

There was no fanfare, but there was no denying the excitement.

“It’s exciting,” said Kristina Allen, the newly appointed deputy director of public health for the Mariposa County Health and Human Services Agency. “There is light at the end of the tunnel.”

However, both Allen and Mariposa County Health Office Dr. Eric Sergienko both stressed now is not the time to relax. Quite the opposite, in fact.

“This is not a time to celebrate in the streets,” said Allen. “There is a process.”

That process began on that Thursday morning when 195 doses of the virus came through the doors at the health department en route to two destinations: Yosemite National Park and the John C. Fremont Healthcare District.

Shown is part of the first shipment last week to Mariposa County of the Pfizer vaccine. Photo by Nicole W. Little

Shown is part of the first shipment last week to Mariposa County of the Pfizer vaccine. Photo by Nicole W. Little

Allen said the first 195 doses were administered last week. In addition, she said by receiving those doses, the county is guaranteed 195 more doses so the second shots can be administered. The vaccine takes two doses to become fully effective.

For Sergienko, it seemed like just another day.

When asked if he was surprised the vaccine was developed so quickly since the onset of the pandemic, he had a simple answer: “No.”

The reason, he said, is there has already been a lot of research and development on vaccines over the years. Couple that with billions of dollars poured into developing a Covid-19 vaccine, and Sergienko said it was almost a given something would be developed quickly.

He said the development process is the “same type” of trials used for flu shots and “any vaccine.”

“It is a safe vaccine,” he said. “A very effective vaccine.”

Later that day, Sergienko was administered his dose of the vaccine during a media event at the hospital.

Mariposa County Health Officer Dr. Eric Sergienko, center, is shown with Chip Griffin, left, from the clinic at Yosemite National Park on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 24. Also shown is Kristina Allen, deputy director of public health for the Mariposa County Health and Human Services Agency. Sergienko was delivering doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to Griffin for distribution to health workers in the park. Photo by Nicole W. Little

Mariposa County Health Officer Dr. Eric Sergienko, center, is shown with Chip Griffin, left, from the clinic at Yosemite National Park on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 24. Also shown is Kristina Allen, deputy director of public health for the Mariposa County Health and Human Services Agency. Sergienko was delivering doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to Griffin for distribution to health workers in the park. Photo by Nicole W. Little

Sergienko did issue a warning to anyone who gets the vaccine and that is to be prepared for some side effects, which he said is a “good thing,” because the vaccine is doing its work.

The first shot, he said, is “tolerable.” The second, he predicted, will “kick your butt. Take a day off.”

Sergienko also stressed the testing of the vaccine, which was extensive, was for “decreasing the number of illnesses, not decreasing transmission.”

The translation: Don’t let your guard down.

Sergienko said it is “likely” the vaccine will reduce transmission, but that is something nobody will know for at least a couple of months.

Another translation: Keep doing what has worked.

That means wearing face coverings in public, social distancing, staying home if you are sick and washing hands frequently.

All of those things, he said, must continue to be done to stop the spread of the virus. That is especially true with limited doses of the vaccine available.

Allen emphasized doing those things over the coming weeks and months is critical to try and stop the spread of the vaccine.

One response to “A real shot in the arm”

  1. rickitty says:

    So glad that our health care providers are getting the first shots. Those who are are most likely to come into contact with infected people must be protected first.
    Some of us can avoid possible exposure, and might choose to wait until all the essential workers have been vaccinated. After that, I’ll be in line.

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