CHERAW, S.C. — McLeod Health vaccinated its first Cheraw physician and frontline staff for COVID-19 on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. Dr. Garrett Barton, primary care physician with McLeod Primary Care Cheraw and hospitalist for McLeod Health Cheraw, was among the first of the frontline staff members to receive the first doses of the vaccine.
Following the receipt of his vaccine, Dr. Barton said, “I think this is a great opportunity for us as health care providers to set an example. This is one of the first real tools that we have to actually make some headway with this virus. I am excited about the prospects of the vaccine and the effect it will have for the entire population.”
Dr. Barton added, “I am also grateful that we now have a vaccine that is being distributed in record time while still passing all of the required safety measures and studies that are required for vaccines. It is a real blessing to be able to receive this vaccine. It means so much to us to feel safer while working to take care of others.”
Common side effects of the vaccine include soreness at the injection site, headache, fatigue, fever or muscle pain. This is a two-dose vaccine with the second dose due within 21 days. It may take several weeks for individuals to develop immunity after completing both injections.
The vaccines are being administered by McLeod Occupational Health based on a three-phase distribution plan.
Phase One includes employees in direct care of COVID-19 patients and all McLeod Health active and affiliate medical staff physicians.
Phase Two will include employees in Inpatient and Outpatient Departments with Direct Patient Care responsibilities.
Phase Three will include employees who serve in non-direct patient care departments.
The roll out to McLeod Health staff members by campus includes:
- McLeod Regional Medical Center – Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 15
- McLeod Health Cheraw- Wednesday, Dec. 16
- McLeod Health Seacoast – Thursday, Dec. 17
- McLeod Health Clarendon -Thursday, Dec. 17
- McLeod Health Dillon – Friday, Dec. 18
- McLeod Health Loris – Monday, Dec. 21
