Central Pa. hospitals defend giving COVID-19 vaccine to ‘back office’ employees before outsiders at higher risk
Updated Jan 27, 2021;
Posted Jan 27, 2021
Dr. Stephen Henderson with Penn State Health Cocoa Outpatient Center, gives 73-year-old Lynn Davis from Cleona, a Band-Aid Wednesday after he recently gave her the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Penn State Health doctors on Wednesday acknowledged that health care workers who don’t directly care for patients are receiving COVID-19 vaccine, even as outsiders who are older or have serious medical conditions endure long waits.
They defended it, explaining that even hospital employees who aren’t directly involved in patient care have a crucial role in keeping the hospital running, and it’s therefore appropriate to vaccinate them.
Hospitals prepare for a post-holiday surge of COVID-19 cases, deaths
Updated Dec 31, 2020;
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Pennsylvania’s hospitals are at a crossroads: Coronavirus cases are leveling off yet a surge in demand for intensive care unit beds has not. And the worst, many believe, is yet to come.
“Christmas was only five days ago,” said Jeff Jahre, senior vice president for medical affairs of the St. Luke’s University Health Network. “We know we have New Years’ coming up. Despite all the warnings and everything else, we do know most of the cases we’re seeing right now aren’t due to large gatherings but what you or I’d consider to be family gatherings.”