Hospital continues to vaccinate staff against COVID

As of Wednesday, over 200 of Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s staff had been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Dr. John Addlesperger, the hospital’s chief medical officer, said there were still more staff members needing to be vaccinated.

Dr. Addlesperger expects the state to release a priority list on Friday, which he believes will help determine who gets the vaccine and when. He said he believes patients over the age of 70 will be in the next group to be vaccinated, as well as other essential workers.

He said Sheridan Memorial Hospital has close to 700 employees total, but not all of them are in the priority list. Priority is given mainly to those in direct patient care or who are involved in testing or handling those suspected of having the disease. He said priority also is given to those who have indirect exposure or who are at a higher risk of being exposed by contact with community members.

Dr. Addlesperger said vaccinations of the priority hospital employees will take at least another week, and some people haven’t yet decided whether to be vaccinated. But he said he’s hopeful that the vaccination program will be able to move to the next priority list in about a week and a half.

He said the hospital isn’t mandating vaccinations to the staff but is leaving the decision up to the employee.