Team Members to Begin Receiving Vaccine
NEENAH, Wis. – ThedaCare is pleased to share that the health care system has received its first shipment of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine from Moderna. Federal and state authorities call for health care personnel to be offered vaccines in the first phase of the program, starting with hospital workers, emergency responders and long-term care staff.
“The health and safety of our team members, patients and communities, are our number one priority,” explained Dr. Mark Cockley, Chief Clinical Officer and President of the Clinically Integrated Network. “ThedaCare planning committees have been working closely with authorities to plan and ensure we are prepared for initial distribution to team members and providers.”
Nurses, medical assistants, clinical technicians and others are being trained to prepare the vaccination and administer it to team members.
“This may be a new vaccine, but we are by no means new to the practice of consistent, reliable and effective distribution of vaccines to our caregivers and those we serve throughout all corners of our service area,” said Dr. Cockley. “We will follow federal and state guidelines to continue our long history of delivering vaccines safely and effectively.”
The COVID-19 vaccine will be recommended, but not mandatory, for ThedaCare team members. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will continue to be required at current levels regardless of team members’ decisions to receive the vaccine.
While the vaccine is a turning point in this pandemic, the community should understand that public availability of the vaccines could still be months away. As that availability improves in the coming months, vaccines will be offered to others in accordance to federal and state guidelines, and in partnership with other health entities. ThedaCare leaders are asking that patients do not call their health care providers to schedule a vaccination, and there are no wait lists for the vaccine.
At this time, the community should still practice collective action to keep ourselves and others safe. ThedaCare urges all community members to continue safe behaviors to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including masking, washing your hands, staying home when sick and avoiding gatherings with those outside your immediate household.
ThedaCare officials will continue to share information regularly as they learn more from federal and state authorities about the distribution of the vaccines. For resources, or if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms including fever, cough or difficulty breathing, visit ThedaCareCOVID19.org or call the community hotline at 920-830-6877 or 800-236-2236.
About ThedaCare
For more than 110 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to improving the health of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 600,000 residents in 17 counties and employs approximately 7,000 health care professionals. ThedaCare has 180 points of care, including seven hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their best lives through easy access to individualized care, supporting each person’s own health and wellbeing. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand unique needs, finding solutions together, and encouraging health awareness and action. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care
Network Member, giving specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care.
For more information, visit thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on social media. Members of the media should call Cassandra Wallace, Public and Media Relations Consultant at 920.442.0328 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
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