CHOP Begins Offering COVID-19 Vaccines to Employees

On Friday, Dec. 18, more than 560 physicians, nurses, security officers and other frontline CHOP employees came to Stokes Auditorium, on the hospital’s Philadelphia Campus, to receive their first dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. 

The Dec. 18 vaccine clinic was the first step in the hospital’s plan to offer COVID-19 vaccines to all CHOP employees. With additional shipments of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines expected to arrive at CHOP in the coming weeks, the hospital aims to provide the first dose to all employees who wish to be vaccinated, in a phased approach.

Brianna Weeks shows her vaccine certification While the COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory for CHOP employees, many have chosen to get vaccinated to provide another layer of defense against infection, and to start down the path of herd immunity, which is what will be necessary to get the pandemic under control.

“As employees of CHOP, my mom and I both got vaccinated to be an example to our family and to show our dedication to our patients and our community,” says Brianna Weeks, MSN, RN, ACCNS-P, CPN, who cares for hematology and nephrology patients. “We consider it a privilege to be able to contribute to the fight to end this pandemic.”

An unprecedented effort

After months of planning, CHOP moved quickly to vaccinate staff when the first doses of the vaccine were delivered to the hospital. As of Jan. 5, more than 4,600 employees had received their first dose. The hospital is also hosting regular Town Hall meetings with CHOP experts, including Paul Offit, MD, Director of CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center, to keep employees informed about the vaccines and answer their questions.

The successful rollout of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at CHOP is a bright spot during a very challenging time.

“Instead of playing defense against this virus, as we have over the last 10 months, we now have a chance to play offense against it,” says Ron Keren, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.

Adds Madeline Bell, President and CEO: “I am proud that CHOP has been able to offer the vaccines to our employees so quickly, and I am looking forward to getting vaccinated as soon as I’m eligible. Finally, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Please note that no COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use in children under the age of 12. If you have questions about your child’s care, please speak with your pediatrician. CHOP will continue to provide updated care information and guidance to patients as pediatric recommendations become available. Get the latest information about our COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts here.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit the Vaccine Education Center’s COVID-19 Vaccine webpage or consult your state's vaccine website.