Trinity Health Of New England Begins Vaccinating Colleagues
December 15, 2020Hartford, Conn. -- Trinity Health Of New England hospitals in Connecticut and Massachusetts have launched a detailed and comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination program for colleagues. Distribution of the vaccine to designated colleagues began Tuesday, December 15 at Saint Francis Hospital, Johnson Memorial Hospital and Saint Mary’s Hospital. The first COVID-19 vaccine shipment arrived to Trinity Health Of New England at the Saint Francis Hospital location Tuesday morning and by the end of the day, more than 80 frontline colleagues had received vaccinations. Vaccine administration began at Mercy Medical Center today.
With limited vaccine supplies, Trinity Health Of New England is following CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (CDC ACIP) and state guidelines on phased distribution. We are also following CDC recommendations for vaccine prioritization, including ensuring health care workers who provide direct care to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients and wish to be immunized, as well as residents of senior care facilities, receive the COVID-19 vaccine first. From there, we are determining the most efficient ways to distribute the vaccine to all other colleagues and to community members based on CDC ACIP prioritization and vaccine supply made available to us.
"With distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, we are turning a corner in this global health crisis," said Reginald Eadie, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Trinity Health Of New England. "I have full confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and it's vital that colleagues who provide face-to-face or supportive care for patients and residents with COVID-19 have the opportunity to receive it first." Dr. Eadie's strong commitment to the vaccine and its phased distribution process will be demonstrated soon. "I look forward to getting vaccinated according to the prioritization set by the CDC ACIP, and I'm encouraging my family and everyone I know to get the vaccine as soon as supplies are available for them, too. "
Trinity Health Of New England urges everyone to continue to follow current safety measures. It is crucial that we all remain vigilant with avoiding crowds, practicing physical distancing, mask wearing and hand hygiene. People who are vaccinated must also stay committed to CDC safety guidelines until there is widespread vaccination.
The links below provide more information about the COVID-19 vaccine.
About Trinity Health Of New England
Trinity Health Of New England is an integrated nonprofit health care delivery system formed in 2015 and is a member of Trinity Health located in Livonia, Michigan, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation serving communities in 22 states. Trinity Health Of New England is comprised of Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut; Johnson Memorial Hospital and Home & Community Health Services in Stafford Springs, Connecticut; Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut; Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts; Providence Behavioral Health Hospital in Holyoke, Massachusetts; Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital, Springfield, Massachusetts; Brightside for Families and Children; and Mercy Continuing Care Network that includes Mercy Homecare, Mercy Hospice and Mercy LIFE. Visit TrinityHealthOfNE.org for more information and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @THOfNewEngland