First covid-19 vaccines distributed at NUMC in East Meadow

Nassau County University Center, in East Meadow, recently received 797 Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines and administered its first on Dec. 15 to Emergency Room Nurse Gabrielle Desiree, of Baldwin.

“I’m so happy I could be a part of what’s going on and help stop the pandemic,” Desiree said.

As she left the hospital chair where she received the vaccine, he was met by cheers and claps from a few of her fellow nurses and one approached her and said, “I’m so proud of you.”

Critical care nurses and doctors will receive the vaccine next, followed by respiratory therapists and housekeeping and pharmacy staff at the hospital. Then, next week, there will be 2,000 more vaccines coming from Moderna.

At a news conference at the hospital on Tuesday, Curran called the vaccine distribution “the beginning of the end” of the pandemic. Going forward, she added, she wants to ensure that the vaccine is distributed equitably to help communities of color and those who were hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic.

“I am very proud of our healthcare heroes at NUMC and across the country,” she said. “I hope the long-awaited arrival of the vaccine helps give them a sense of confidence and security as they continue to step up and serve.”