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Quitta Gets First COVID Vaccine Here

  • Laurie Quitta, left, Nurse Director of the Medical Surgical Unit of St. Marks Medical Center, gets injected with the COVID vaccine by nurse Dabbie Hinkley, center, as Craig Moreau, Emergency Management Chief, gives a thumbs up.
    Laurie Quitta, left, Nurse Director of the Medical Surgical Unit of St. Marks Medical Center, gets injected with the COVID vaccine by nurse Dabbie Hinkley, center, as Craig Moreau, Emergency Management Chief, gives a thumbs up.

“It didn’t hurt at all” was the reaction of Laurie Quitta, Nurse Director of the Medical Surgical Unit of St. Marks Medical Center. Laurie has served as a nurse in our county for four decades, and was chosen to receive the very first COVID-19 vaccine administered within the county. Debbie Hinkley, the Employee Health Nurse, was chosen administer the vaccine. “She’s known be the best at giving shots,” was the testimony of her coworkers.

Vaccines will continue for Phase 1a and 1b recipients through next week at St. Marks Medical Center and at HEB Pharmacy in La Grange. Phase 1a and 1b include doctors, healthcare workers and staff, EMTs/Paramedics, First Responders, and others that deal directly with patients.

“I am beyond excited to finally have something that can potentially start ending the pandemic” Said Craig Moreau, Emergency Management Chief. “Up to this point we have only possessed defensive tools, those that keep us isolated or manage symptoms. The vaccine is the first offensive tool that we have had access to. Its time to start playing offense, and getting some wins”.

Currently the Moderna vaccine is the vaccine available in our area. It has emergency use authorization for patients 18 and above. Residents are advised to discuss with their physicians if they should receive the vaccine, and any medical situations that are unique to the patient.

Any additional questions can be directed to the Fayette County Office of Emergency Management.