HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division has announced that its hospitals in the Orlando Market have received their first distribution of COVID-19 vaccine to be securely stored and safely administered according to the state and federal prioritization guidelines. The first vaccinations were administered on Monday, Dec. 21 using vaccines from the Pfizer supply that was initially allocated to Central Florida. HCA Healthcare hospitals will also receive the Moderna vaccine in the coming days.
Prioritized colleagues serving on the frontlines at Central Florida Regional Hospital, Osceola Regional Medical Center, Poinciana Medical Center and Oviedo Medical Center have signed up, in advance, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as an added measure to help protect themselves and others.
“The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine is a pivotal turning point in our fight against this virus. The progress that has been made in these past few months is astounding. We are grateful to be able to provide this added protection to our care team members who have been an immense source of strength and support for our communities,” said Barbara Watson, CNO at Osceola Regional Medical Center. “As vaccine supplies steadily increase, our goal is to make the vaccine available to every colleague who wishes to receive it. Although the vaccine will not be mandatory, we believe it is a major step in ending the pandemic.”
Clinical and emergency operations teams at the HCA Healthcare Orlando Market hospitals followed CDC guidance in the development of detailed internal plans which include state and federal recommendations for vaccine storage and administration processes. At this time, the hospitals are only administering the vaccine to employees as healthcare workers are a priority group as determined by the CDC. All HCA Healthcare Orlando Market hospitals will continue to follow rigorous practices for ensuring the safety of patients, colleagues and visitors. The hospitals will also continue to promote mask wearing, good hand hygiene and social distancing to colleagues and community members in their daily lives.
“National experts have stressed that continuing these practices will be important even after vaccines become more widely available to the general public,” said Dr. Sean Benoit, CMO at Central Florida Regional Hospital. “Together, the COVID-19 vaccination and following the CDC’s recommendations for how to protect ourselves and others will offer the best protection from contracting and spreading COVID-19. The pandemic affects us all, so we must do all we can to end it.”
HCA Healthcare is the nation’s leading provider of healthcare services that include approximately 184 hospitals and 124 freestanding surgery centers in 21 states and England. HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division – Orlando Market includes four hospitals: Central Florida Regional Hospital (with Level II Trauma Center) in Sanford, Oviedo Medical Center, Osceola Regional Medical Center (with Level II Trauma Center) in Kissimmee and Poinciana Medical Center, as well as four freestanding ERs and multidisciplinary physician practices. It is slated to open UCF Lake Nona Medical Center in March 2021.
The HCA Healthcare North Florida Division is a comprehensive network of 14 hospitals, numerous outpatient surgery centers & imaging facilities, physician practices, medical education training programs and a complete continuum of specialized health programs and services that meet the healthcare needs of residents and businesses in the North Florida and Central Florida communities. HCA Healthcare North Florida physicians and employees continue to provide the quality foundation for delivering care to our patients safely, effectively and compassionately. Its hospitals are Joint Commission Accredited, with designations such as Accredited Chest Pain Centers, Primary Stroke Center Certification and four Level II Trauma Centers in Marion, Okaloosa, Osceola and Seminole counties.
