To resounding cheers, the first dose in Walla Wallaâs initial share of Pfizerâs COVID-19 vaccine went into the arm of Norma Flores on Friday at 8:20 a.m., about 12 hours shy of a week after the immunization was authorized for U.S. use.
The scene was set at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, the organization thatâs been part of a network of community partners coping with the local and regional effects of this yearâs pandemic.
Flores, 43, has been on the cleaning team at the hospital for three years. Getting vaccinated against the killer disease was an easy decision, she said.