Nuvance Health has taken the hospital system's first delivery of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.  Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeff Nicastro says they're excited that Danbury Hospital received a couple thousand doses.  They are following FDA and manufacturer guidelines for storage, which includes an ultra-cold freezer, and state distribution guidelines for disbursing vaccines throughout the health system.

(Photo Courtesy: Nuvance Health)

Dr. Guillermo Ballarino, pulmonary intensivist, was the first to get the COVID-19 vaccine at Danbury Hospital.  Dr. Ballarino has been on the frontlines caring for patients since Danbury Hospital’s first COVID-19 patient in March.

This week, vaccines will be disbursed from Danbury Hospital to New Milford, Norwalk , and Sharon Hospitals. 

(Back, Left to Right) Dr. Jeff Nicastro, Interim Chief Medical Officer, SVP & System Chair, Surgical Services; Sharon Adams, President, Danbury/New Milford Hospitals; Robin Ashley, Manager, Employee Health, Danbury/New Milford/Norwalk Hospitals; Dr. John M. Murphy, President, CEO, Nuvance Health

(Front Left to Right) Laurie Brentlinger, AVP Infection Control & Prevention, Dr. Paul Nee, Infectious Disease, Danbury/New Milford Hospitals

Nuvance plans to administer the vaccine first to those who want them, and in groups based on risk of exposure because limited doses are currently available. More vaccines are expected to be available in early 2021.

Vaccine appointments are not being scheduled for patients at this time and Nuvance is not creating wait lists.

WCSU nursing students are volunteering to administer vaccines at Nuvance Health clinics