November 4, 2021
MOVING FORWARD WITH VACCINES AND BOOSTER SHOTS
WELLSVILLE, NY – The best way to support your community hospital is to get a vaccine. COVID vaccines and booster shots from all three manufacturers – Moderna, Pfizer, and Jensen (Johnson & Johnson) – are now available at Jones Memorial Hospital.
At Jones Memorial and other hospitals in the region, the inpatient rate for those admitted with COVID is exceptionally high. “While the surge rates across the nation are starting to decline, they remain high in Allegany County,” said Jim Helms, CEO at Jones, noting that the percentage of Jones Memorial in-patients has consistently been over 60-percent. “That is a direct reflection of the extremely low vaccination rates in our county. I hate getting shots, but I know that vaccines save lives and this booster is a positive step in getting this pandemic under control.”
Vivian Moline, who has been on the Food and Nutrition team at Jones for nearly 40 years, was also among the first to get her booster shot. “I have a compromised immune system that puts me at risk,” she said, noting that protecting her family and co-workers was also part of her decision. “I have done my research and am confident that it is safe. I trust my doctor and he advised me to get the shot.”
If you have not tested positive for COVID but are experiencing the symptoms – fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, and body aches – please call your primary care provider. If, however, you are having more serious symptoms – trouble breathing, chest pain, or stroke – please go to the Emergency Room immediately.
“Sometimes people with serious symptoms are hesitant to come the ER because they are afraid of being diagnosed with COVID,” said Kelly Foster, BSN. “But denying that you are ill never made anyone better so if you have serious symptoms, please seek medical care.” If you do not have a PCP, please visit the walk-in clinic, open 2 pm to 7 pm daily.
Jones Memorial Hospital is holding booster and initial vaccine clinics on the following Thursdays: November 11th and 18th and December 2nd, 9th, and 16th. Call (585) 596-4114 for an appointment but walk-ins are welcome.
At Jones Memorial, 100-percent of the employed medical staff has been vaccinated and the majority of them are actively scheduling their booster shots. Shortly after the booster became available, Dr. Lu-Ann Kaye, a family practice physician at Jones Memorial Hospital’s Women and Children Health Center, stopped to see Employee Health Nurse Mona Carbone, RN, and received her booster shot.
