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NYC Nurse Is The First Person Vaccinated For COVID-19 In The U.S.
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Dec 14, 2020
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Mark Lennihan/AP/Shutterstock
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Dec 14, 2020
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A nurse at a hospital in Queens, which was once the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, became the first person in the United States to receive a vaccination outside of clinical trials.
Her first-dose shot, which was broadcast live, comes nearly 10 months after the first confirmed coronavirus infection in the state kicked off a devastating pandemic that has killed more than 24,000 New Yorkers. She will require a second, final dose of the Pfizer vaccine in 21 days.
“I feel like healing is coming,” said Sandra Lindsay, the nurse who received the first vaccine at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens. "I hope this marks the beginning of the end of a painful time in our history."
Lindsay said she wanted "to instill public confidence that the vaccine is safe."
She thanked all her fellow healthcare workers and urged people to continue wearing masks and social distancing.
Governor Andrew Cuomo attended the event virtually.
"This is the light at the end of the tunnel but this is a long tunnel," he said, adding that it would likely not be until June when the vaccine could potentially be distributed to a critical mass of New Yorkers. Now, the governor said, "we want to get it deployed and we want to get it deployed quickly."
Long Island Jewish Medical Center, which is located in Queens and part of Northwell Health, is administering the first vaccines this morning to frontline healthcare workers.
The vaccine
Mark Lennihan/AP/Shutterstock
Though the vaccine represents a turning point in the pandemic, it is not yet known if the vaccine prevents those who are injected with it from transmitting it to others. People would still need to wear masks and physically distance, and the CDC recommends even those who get the vaccine should continue wearing a mask.
"Just because we're giving out the vaccine, it's no excuse for the public out there not to continue wearing masks, not to social distance, et cetera," said Michael Dowling, the president and CEO of Northwell Health.
Hundreds of thousands of Pfizer doses are arriving this week to be administered, and should the FDA authorize the emergency use of the Moderna vaccine later this week, more doses are anticipated the next week. Long term care facilities' residents and staff, such as those in nursing homes, will be vaccinated through a federal program in partnership with CVS and Walgreens pharmacy staff as soon as December 21st.
Dr. Chester holds a syringe of the vaccine
Mark Lennihan/AP/Shutterstock
The historic vaccination in the city comes on the same day that indoor dining is halted due to spiraling COVID-19 cases and a worrisome increase in hospitalizations not seen since May. Cuomo announced the dining closure decision on Friday. For restaurants, which had been operating at 25% capacity, the end of indoor dining represents yet another heavy financial blow to the struggling industry. Although outdoor dining has largely been deemed a success, many restaurateurs say it is not enough to make up for the losses from indoor dining.
Speaking on CNN Monday morning, Mayor Bill de Blasio warned of a potential shutdown of all non-essential businesses.
"I think it’s something we have to be ready for in the coming weeks," he said, adding that the ultimate decision would come from the governor.
The seven-day average of new confirmed cases in New York City is now more than 1,800, and the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 symptoms has surpassed 200 in recent days.
On Friday, the city for the first time broke all three infection and hospitalization thresholds that were created to serve as a warning of the severity of the virus.
After holding back for weeks, the de Blasio acknowledged that there was "now clearly a second wave in New York City."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
With Sydney Pereira.
Tagged
covid-19 updates
coronavirus
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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