Miami Jewish Health, state’s largest nursing home, begins vaccinating patients, staff

MIAMI (WSVN) - Another South Florida health facility, the largest nursing home in the state, began administering COVID-19 vaccines to some of its patients and staff.

7News cameras captured the moment the first long-term resident at Miami Jewish Health received the Moderna vaccine, Monday afternoon.

The nursing home is the latest facility selected by the state to distribute doses of the vaccine.

“We’ve been waiting for a vaccine now since the start of the pandemic,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shaun Corbett. “It’s here. It’s arrived, and we’re very excited to be one of the first few to receive in the state and nationwide to be part of that campaign.”

Residents and staff at Miami Jewish Health are not required to get the vaccine.

“We expect to vaccinate roughly 220 to 230, so that’s probably 70 to 80% of our long-term residents,” said Corbett.

Among those residents who were vaccinated Monday was Marion Marker.

“At my age, I live the moment, every day like it’s another beginning,” she said.

At 92, Marker has lived a life filled with memorable moments. Now she can add receiving the coronavirus vaccine to that list.

“I try to encourage everybody to get the vaccination. It’s so important,” she said.

The vaccinations bring much-needed relief to those most vulnerable to the virus.

“Every time I see how many people have died, I shake my head. It’s so sad,” said Marker.

“Undoubtedly, this has been a very challenging nine months for them, and hopefully this vaccine represents a turning point for them in this pandemic,” said Corbett.

Corbett said their goal is to have a majority of their residents vaccinated in the next day or two.

“The more of us that are vaccinated, the better we all are as a society,” he said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order last week putting residents 65 and older at the front of the line.

“We’re going where the risk is greatest,” he said.

The governor’s move appears to sidestep the CDC’s recommendations to include a number of essential workers.

In Fort Lauderdale, lines formed at Holy Cross Hospital, as healthcare employees waited to roll up their sleeves. To date, the hospital has vaccinated 2,700 frontline workers since Dec. 16, and now they’re offering shots to all South Florida healthcare workers who can provide proof.

Testing sites continue to see long lines as they reopened after Christmas.

The state reported more than 23,000 coronavirus cases since Christmas Eve, ahead of an expected surge following holiday gatherings.

Back in Miami, Marker said she looks forward to be safe from the deadly virus when she receives her second dose in 28 days.

“I’ve come to be blessed. I will share my joys. It’s our responsibility: when we get something good, share it,” she said.

Marker said she’ll have a lot less to worry about once she receives her second shot, so she can turn her attention to other important matters.

“I find other thigs to do. I’m trying to really learn the smartphone, and I’m not a techie,” she said.

In Miami Beach, Mount Sinai Medical Center continued vaccinating seniors 75 and older. Those who qualify to receive the vaccine can make an appointment by calling 305-674-2312. The number is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, click here.

Frontline workers who go to Holy Cross Hospital to receive the vaccine need to bering a medical license as proof that they are a healthcare worker. They are administering vaccines on a first-come, first-served basis between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. until Wednesday. For more information, click here.

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