PENDLETON â The atmosphere in the St. Anthony Hospital conference room on Monday, Dec. 28, was upbeat. Ten health care workers who waited there to receive the hospitalâs first coronavirus vaccinations could barely contain their elation.
âThis is huge,â said Dr. John McBee. âThis is the beginning of the end of the pandemic.â
Each person answered screening questions and signed a consent form.
McBee went forward first, sat down in the hot seat and rolled up his left sleeve. Tracy Wart, infection prevention nurse at St. Anthony, cleaned the surgeonâs arm with alcohol and prepared the syringe.
âReady?â Wart asked.