Stevens Community Medical Center continues its efforts at vaccinating the community against COVID-19. We are currently offering the Pfizer vaccine. As data is continually collected on the vaccines against COVID-19 the evidence shows both safety and efficacy of the vaccines. We also anticipate full FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine in the near future.
Many of you may have heard of the rare complications including blood clotting and inflammation of the heart potentially associated with the vaccines. However, since these complications are extremely rare the benefit of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine far outweighs the risks. Like virtually anything we do in medicine including procedures, surgeries, and prescription of medications there are always small risks of side effects or complications but we will weigh those risks against the benefit in determining whether to proceed. Vaccinations continue to prove to be one of the greatest tools we have in medicine at preventing serious illness. After a decline in COVID activity in the early summer we are again seeing a rise of cases throughout the country and locally as the delta variant of COVID-19 has become predominant.
We encourage as many people as possible to get the COVID-19 vaccine not only to protect themselves but also to protect the children under age 12 who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine. If you would like to sign up to receive the vaccine you can do so on the SCMC website, www.scmcinc.org. As always, if you have any questions or concerns we encourage you to reach out to your primary provider for advice.
Jason Huikko, M.D., SCMC Family Medicine Physician & Chief of Staff
Elizabeth Meichsner, M.D., SCMC Family Medicine Physician
Toby Christie-Perkins, D.O., SCMC Family Medicine Physician
John Anderson, D.O., SCMC Family Medicine Physician
Brent Barnstuble, M.D., SCMC Family Medicine Physician
Dan O’Connor, M.D., SCMC Family Medicine Physician
Cara Nachbor, APRN, CNP, SCMC Family Medicine Provider
Stephanie Knobloch, APRN, CNP, SCMC Family Medicine Provider
Paige Hardy, DNP, APRN, CNM, SCMC Certified Nurse Midwife
Greg Rapp, PA-C, SCMC Physician Assistant
Rachel Kloehn, APRN, FNP-BC, SCMC Family Medicine Provider