Monongahela Valley Hospital Immunizes Washington County's First Health Care Workers With COVID-19 Vaccine

Carol Soltes receives COVID-19 vaccinations from Christopher Coccari, RN — Carol Soltes, who works in the Operating Room, receives one of Washington County's first COVID-19 vaccinations at Monongahela Valley Hospital from Christopher Coccari, RN, director of Perioperative Services.

Shortly after 7 a.m. on Dec. 16, Carol Soltes, who works in the Operating Room, at Monongahela Valley Hospital, received Washington County's first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"I'm getting the vaccine to help keep our patients and my co-workers and family safer," Ms. Soltes said as she rolled up her sleeve for the injection.

Monongahela Valley Hospital was among the first health systems in Western Pennsylvania and the only one in Washington County to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the first shipment. MVH is administering the Pfizer vaccine to its employees and physicians in two doses approximately 21 days apart. The Pfizer vaccine is 50% effective after the first dose and 95% effective after the second dose.

"It is wonderful that we have the ability to provide this vaccine to staff, said Sherry Watkins, MBA, MSN, RN, MVH's senior vice president of Nursing. "It is important for us to protect ourselves so we are here every day to care for our community."

Christopher Coccari, RN administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Tara Perry, RN — Christopher Coccari, RN, director of Perioperative Services, administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Tara Perry, RN, who works in the CCU.

Posted on December 16, 2020 in Penn Highlands Mon Valley News