Baptist Health Floyd drive-through vaccine clinic reaches milestone, begins administering second shots

The hospital is preparing to give its second round of the Pfizer shots Friday.

NEW ALBANY (Jan. 6, 2020) – As Baptist Health Floyd reached another COVID-19 vaccine milestone this week, the hospital is preparing to give its second round of the Pfizer shots Friday.

Baptist Health Floyd officially began its drive-through shot clinic Dec. 18. The clinic is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, for healthcare workers from Floyd, Harrison and Washington counties.

This week first responders, which includes firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and anyone employed by a first responder agency in a public-facing position, can register to receive the vaccine at the clinic.

Brian Cox, director of operations and emergency preparedness at the hospital, said he has been pleased with the flow of the drive-through clinic. At 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, the clinic administered its 3,000th vaccination.

“It’s been a great team effort,” he said. “It’s gone extremely well. We were fortunate to have the old ambulance bay to use. Everyone seems to be pleased with the setup and not having to get out of their cars.”

Cox said the hospital is still only administering the Pfizer vaccine, but will likely start using the Moderna vaccine next week. Both vaccines require two doses.

Cox also said the hospital’s drive-through clinic will be open through February. The Floyd County Health Department will begin vaccinating healthcare workers and first responders, possibly as early as next week, at IU Southeast, but have not yet released a day or time for the clinic. When other groups of people are phased in to receive the vaccine by the Indiana State Department of Health, the health department will also take over that process.

Baptist Health Floyd President Mike Schroyer has also been pleased with the drive-through clinic process. He said it was established to protect those receiving the vaccine.

“I am so humbled and proud of our staff and volunteers in our communities who have volunteered to be involved in the drive-through vaccine clinic,” he said. “They have efficiently provided great service and care to those being vaccinated and have braved cold and wet weather to do so.”

He also said the vaccine will help us defeat the virus.

“We are very proud to be able to provide a drive-through clinic that has been so effective in giving this important vaccine that will lead to protecting those who receive it from this terrible virus,” he said. “It is very deserving that our healthcare heroes and first responders throughout the state and country who have done so much during this pandemic in caring for our communities are receiving the vaccine. This will provide some much needed relief to our heroes going forward.”