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12.18.2020

Health System Administers First COVID-19 Vaccine to Frontline Workers

Jackson, Tennessee (December 18, 2020) – The region’s largest hospital administered the first COVID-19 vaccine doses Friday afternoon, joining in on nationwide efforts to vaccinate frontline health care workers against COVID-19.

Lynn Jones in Environmental Services became the first Jackson-Madison County General Hospital (JMCGH) employee to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Ms. Jones works in a dedicated COVID-19 unit cleaning patient rooms. She has worked in the organization since 2006.

“I’m getting the vaccine because I have grandkids that I don’t want to give it to,” Jones said. “I feel privileged and grateful to get this vaccine.”

Deann Thelen, CEO of JMCGH, stated, “This is a monumental event, and I am so excited that we are able to provide the vaccine. This is an important step in the fight against this devastating virus. I am so proud of the staff for all that they are doing for our patients daily, but we all need to do our part to help them.”

Jones is the first of 1,950 West Tennessee Healthcare frontline workers scheduled to be vaccinated between Friday and Tuesday in the system’s hospitals across the region. Until the vaccine is widely available, West Tennessee Healthcare urges the public to avoid gatherings, wear face-coverings appropriately, and practice proper hand hygiene.