Syracuse, NY – An Upstate University Hospital housekeeper today becomes the first person in Central New York to receive an injection of the new Covid-19 vaccine, raising hopes that the deadly pandemic is in sight.
Kenzo B. Mukendi, 48, from Syracuse, was vaccinated in Upstate, the region’s first hospital where the vaccine was delivered. The vaccine was developed by Pfizer and BioNtech and was the first emergency vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Upstate is one of 150 sites worldwide that participated in the clinical trials for the vaccine.
Mukendi, an immigrant from Congo who has been with Upstate for about a year, cleans patient rooms in the hospital’s Covid ward.
“It’s my duty to do the job,” he said. “I can’t be afraid.”
Mukendi and four other frontline workers in Upstate were given their photos shortly after noon in a conference room at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Upstate planned to vaccinate another 50 workers later this afternoon.
Suzanne Buck, a nurse in Upstate who was also vaccinated today, said the shot didn’t hurt.
“I had no problem with it,” she said. “I’m so glad I got it.”
Dr. Robert Corona, CEO of the hospital, said on Wednesday that Upstate plans to vaccinate as many as 600 workers a day. Hospital workers who are vaccinated first are doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, housekeepers, and others who are at high risk because they work closely with coronavirus patients.
The vaccine arrived by truck around 10:30 am. State health officials in Upstate closely monitored the delivery. The vaccine, which must be stored at ultra-low temperatures, has been put in the hospital’s research freezers that can reach temperatures above minus 80 degrees Celsius.
“We wanted to get the vaccine to humans as soon as possible,” Corona said.
Corona said he could not reveal how many doses Upstate has received. But he said the hospital has enough to vaccinate all of its front-line workers working around coronavirus patients.
When the vaccine arrived, the hospital workers were very excited. Corona met workers in the hallways who said, “Sign me up. Can I get it today? “
Upstate is also expected to provide vaccine to health professionals in other hospitals in the region.
Dr. Stephen Thomas, chief of infectious diseases in Upstate, said the arrival of the vaccine brings relief to hospital staff who have been concerned about caring for a growing wave of coronavirus patients. Thomas oversees a clinical trial of the vaccine that began in Upstate over the summer. He is also the principal investigator for the trial worldwide.
“It is not often that you participate in a vaccine development project where you actually see it authorized for use in large populations,” said Thomas. “This is a very incredible day.”
In addition to hospital staff, nursing home residents and staff are a top priority in the rollout of vaccines. According to the State Department of Health, there are about 4,000 nursing home residents and 5,000 employees in the five-county Central New York region. Nursing home officials expect to begin vaccinations next week.
Central New York would receive an initial shipment of 6,400 doses of the vaccine, Governor Andrew Cuomo said last week. Patients require two injections 21 days apart.
A second vaccine, developed by the pharmaceutical company Moderna, could be approved by the FDA this week.
St. Joseph’s Health expects to receive some of that vaccine. St. Joe’s also expects to receive some of Upstate’s Pfizer vaccine.
“In total, we will have access to more than 1,600 doses for our staff and more doses are expected soon,” said Dr. Philip Falcone, St. Joe’s Chief Medical Officer.
The coronavirus has killed more than 300 people in Onondaga County. Nationally, the death toll is more than 300,000.
James T. Mulder is engaged in health and higher education. Do you have a news tip? Contact him at (315) 470-2245 or [email protected]