OpEd - What the Arrival of the COVID-19 Vaccine Means for Southwestern Montana
- Details
- Created on Monday, 04 January 2021 23:04
- Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 January 2021 00:00
- Published on Monday, 04 January 2021 23:04
ButteNews.net
Jan 4, 2021
Dr. Jennifer Davenport
The arrival of the first supply of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to St. James Healthcare has
signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. It truly is a breath of fresh air and has
certainly given everyone here an extra boost of confidence in our ability to provide care to
southwestern Montana.
Ultimately, our goal will be to vaccinate as many of our healthcare workers as possible. Our
initial efforts, as directed by state and federal authorities, will primarily focus on vaccinating our
frontline staff to ensure St. James Healthcare can continue to serve and provide care to our
patients and community.
While vaccination is voluntary at this time, as healthcare providers, we have a greater role and
responsibility to ensure we are doing everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19. We
have strongly encouraged our associates to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their loved
ones and our community. This will be our same message to the public as the vaccine becomes
more readily available.
Vaccine safety and effectiveness is top of mind for all of us right now. As medical professionals,
we are confident in the science and technology behind these vaccines and believe they are a
turning point in our fight against COVID-19. The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have
been rigorously tested prior to becoming available to the public. Both Pfizer and Moderna have
indicated that their COVID-19 vaccines are 94-95% effective based on Phase 3 clinical trials.
This means that the vaccines really work to prevent people from becoming ill with COVID-19.
That level of efficacy is encouraging.
As is often the case with vaccines, some people have experienced minor side effects after
receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, such as a mild fever or soreness at the injection site.
Fortunately, severe reactions, like anaphylaxis, are extremely rare. If you have any questions or
concerns please speak to your primary care provider.
Overall, we believe these vaccines are very safe and effective, especially when we consider the
serious risks, long-term health implications, and deadliness of the COVID-19 infection.
We are excited about the prospects this vaccine holds for our associates, our patients, and our
communities. As more vaccines become available in Montana, it is our recommendation that as
many people as possible get vaccinated so we can end this pandemic.
While we believe there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel, we must continue to be diligent
in our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Our ask of our associates,
patients and communities remains the same: Please do your part to help slow the spread of
COVID-19. Stay at home, wear a mask, limit your gatherings, wash your hands frequently,
practice social distancing and help us protect the vulnerable.
Right to vote vital gift
- Details
- Created on Tuesday, 04 August 2020 02:09
- Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 August 2020 02:09
- Published on Tuesday, 04 August 2020 02:09
Teacher supports Romano
- Details
- Created on Thursday, 23 July 2020 17:47
- Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 July 2020 16:06
- Published on Thursday, 23 July 2020 17:47
Hello. I am Elizabeth McCambridge, I was a Public School Teacher for 35 years in Minnesota. Retired, my husband and I have lived in Montana for 6 months a year for the last eleven years. I am supporting Melissa Romano for Superintendent of Montana’s Office of Public Instruction because I believe she is the BEST candidate who will protect and promote quality public education for all students. With emphasis on “all,” she is a strong advocate for early education. Research shows that when we invest in our early learners with Public Pre-School, those students do much better in elementary and high school. The end result is a strong economy.
Romano was an educator for 15 years and she served a three year term on the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics where she served as President. Romano has many qualifications including being a recipient of the National Science Foundation’s “Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), and the 2018 Montana Teacher of the Year. She will diligently advocate for students, teachers, administrators and for adequate funding of Montana’s Public Schools at the Montana Legislature.
Romano is endorsed by the Montana Sportsmen Alliance and the Montana Conservation Voters and other important organizations. As a member of the Land Board, she will fight to protect YOUR rights to hunt, fish, and recreate on Montana’s public lands and waters.
Please vote for the BEST candidate for Superintendent of Montana’s Office of Public Instruction. I strongly urge you to vote for Melissa Romano.
Thank you.
|