Mary Washington Healthcare vaccine clinic delivered 209,189 doses in eight months

 

After nine months of school and business shutdowns, climbing hospitalizations and loss of life, the Food and Drug Administration’s authorization in December 2020 of two COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use was like a ray of light.

Finally, the world had a tool that could help protect individuals from the virus that had caused such catastrophic loss.

It was clear from the beginning that getting these important shots into the arms of members of the Fredericksburg community would require sophisticated planning, logistics and manpower. Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) recognized early on that even though hospitals had been stretched to the limit caring for COVID-19 patients for the past nine months, the task of mobilizing vaccine distribution was an important way for the nonprofit regional health system to serve its community.

“It really fits within our mission here at Mary Washington Healthcare, which is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve,” said Michael McDermott, MD, MWHC president and CEO. “There’s no better way for us to help protect the health of our community than to administer vaccines.”

Mary Washington Healthcare stood up a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the John J. Fick III Conference Center adjacent to Mary Washington Hospital. Between January and August 2021, this clinic administered more than 200,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses.

The clinic would not have been possible without countless healthcare workers and community members who worked extra shifts and volunteered their time to turn the administration of vaccines into an experience that many in the community will always remember as the first time since the pandemic began that they could truly hope for a return to normalcy.

“The vaccine clinic represented in my estimation the pinnacle of the organization coming together and really responding after having had such a difficult year,” said Stephen Mandell, MD, vice president and senior medical director of Mary Washington Hospital. “When the vaccine finally came out, there was a collective sharing of hope among all of our associates, a willingness to volunteer and work to put the logistics in place.”

 

Putting the Visitor First

As vaccine supply rolled into the community and new groups were added to the list of those eligible to receive the shots, MWHC’s clinic ramped up capacity, vaccinating as many as 2,500 people in a day.

This was made possible by the work of over 400 Community volunteers and nearly 800 MWHC employees, and detailed logistics planning that helped ensure every step of the process—from checking in and finding a parking spot to being allowed to wait in the comfort of your own car, away from the crowds—was safe and hassle-free for visitors.

“It was not just a very smooth operation—it was a pleasant experience,” said Fredericksburg Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw.

Many in the community compared the clinic’s efficiency to that of a Chick-fil-A drive-through operation.

“The outpouring of generosity, of time, talent and treasure, from our community has been enormous,” said Summer Hughes, chief of staff for MWHC.

 

Vaccines Offer Hope

As they waited for their turn to get the shot, many visitors to the vaccine clinic greeted old friends from behind their masks and talked about restaurant meals they were excited to enjoy again in-person. The clinic became a cheerful place where people could realistically start to think about life after the pandemic.

“There was a lot of crying,” said Kevin Hyde, who volunteered to help with clinic logistics. “People were so excited to be there.”

As she received the 50,000 shot administered at the clinic in February 2021, Stafford County teacher Cenia Bonilla embodied that excitement, declaring that vaccines are the most important way for people to protect themselves from the virus that causes COVID-19.

“We are here to fight the enemy we can’t see,” she said. “We want to feel free again.”

 

The Effort Continues

One year later, the FDA has granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 and up and has granted emergency use authorization for the vaccine in individuals ages 5 years and older. The Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for individuals 18 years and older.

All these vaccines represent the best tools available to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from the spread of COVID-19. Mary Washington Healthcare believes strongly that all eligible individuals should receive a vaccine and has required COVID-19 vaccination of all of its employees.

In November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that all adults receive a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines if it has been at least six months since they received their second dose.

Whether you are seeking a booster, a first dose, or a vaccine for your child, you can now easily get a COVID-19 vaccine at many locations throughout the Fredericksburg region.

Visit vaccines.gov to find the vaccine clinic nearest to you.