'A Moment Of Hope': Charlotte Doctor Is First In State To Get Vaccine

A doctor in Charlotte was the first person in North Carolina to receive the newly-approved Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, after the state received its first shipment earlier on Monday.

Dr. Katie Passaretti, Atrium Health's Medical Director of Infection Prevention, became the first in the state to get the coronavirus vaccine on Monday (December 14). After receiving her first dose, a second will be required in about a month, she said she felt "perfectly fine" and was excited about the possibilities the vaccine provides.

"Just a moment of hope," said Dr. Passaretti. "A moment of potential for change of the course that we're on with the pandemic right now."

"I couldn't be more excited. I feel perfectly fine," she continued. "I've had no issues with the vaccine. Again, we just encourage everyone to get vaccinated."

Atrium Health was one of the first hospital groups in the state to receive deliveries of the state's nearly 86,000 doses. The vaccines will be distributed to a total of 53 hospitals across the state throughout the week, and a second shipment is expected within the coming weeks.

"We are prioritizing our frontline team that are caring for patients who have COVID-19 or likely to have COVID-19," said Dr. Gary Little, SVP and chief medical officer, Metro Division, at Atrium Health.

Frontline health care workers at risk of contracting the coronavirus, as well as longterm care facility residents and staff, will be among the first to receive vaccinations. The next phase will include other frontline workers, school staff, and seniors at high risk. Phase 3 will cover essential workers and students, and phase four will go toward the remaining population.

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