Frontline health care workers in the Quad Cities are receiving their first shots of the COVID-19 vaccine.
One of the first vaccinated was Joel Moore, Director of Care Coordination for Genesis Health System. He says so far, the only side effect is some minor, vaccine-typical muscle soreness.
"There's lots of worry out there from people, so I had a lot of mind games yesterday, thinking, 'Well, gosh, maybe I have a headache, maybe I have fatigue, maybe I have these things.' But really, I felt really great except for my arm pain."
Moore wasn't working in the ICU before COVID-19. He volunteered after Genesis Health President and CEO Doug Cropper asked for help with the surge of COVID patients. But with a vaccine approved and ready for distribution, Moore and his co-workers are cautiously optimistic.
"The feeling in the clinic was electric and I know I was talking to some folks that were at the Silvis clinic yesterday; we are so excited because it is just another step towards hope. It's been a big morale booster."
More healthcare workers are expected to receive the vaccine in the coming weeks.
