2 Rural Green Country Hospitals Administer First Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine

Two rural hospitals, in Grove and Miami, gave out their first doses of the vaccine today to their frontline workers, and said having the vaccine available is a sign of hope.

Most of the caregivers at the Integris Grove Hospital who got the vaccine Thursday have been working on the frontlines since the pandemic started.

100 workers got injections at the Grove hospital and 75 at Integris Miami. The injections weren’t mandatory for staff, but Dr. Phillip Williams who practices Family Medicine at Grove, said he felt it was the right thing to do.

"Since I am seeing people every day face to face, I feel like I have a duty to make sure I protect them as much as possible,” Dr. Williams said.

Jonas Rabel, the Chief Hospital Executive for both Grove and Miami, said it's been a long journey.

"Since late February and early March, it's been a consistent battle for us,” Rabel said.

Rabel said a vaccine that's 95 percent effective gives both hospitals greater peace of mind.

"Patient care has been extremely difficult, extra measures have been out in place to make sure our patients are safe,” Dr. Williams said.

Dr. Williams said he doesn't want it to end here.

“I'm hoping in the near future we will be able to update as many patients as possible,” Dr. Williams said.

100 injections in Grove and 75 at Miami will happen again on Friday.