Atchison County finishes up first round of COVID-19 vaccinations

Atchison County finishes up the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations

100 frontline nurses, doctors, paramedics, health care workers are halfway to covid- 19 immunity in northwest corner of our state.julie livengood administrator, atchison co.

Health dept.: "the atmosphere in here.

It was filled with joy and excitement and maybe even a little relief and that's something that we have not had a lot of in the past 9 months."

In just two days -- all tier 1a health care workers in atchison county received covid-19 vaccine shots.julie livengood administrator, atchison co.

Health dept.: "if they fit in that category and they had an arm.

We were going to give them that vaccine."

Just a month ago it was hard for them to imagine getting to this point.at the end of october -- atchison county had just over 100 coronavirus cases.cases doubled in november.

And tripled in december.julie livengood administrator, atchison co.

Health dept.: we have three employees in hour health department.

It was so overwhelming.

I hired three more nurses to help us with contact tracing and investigation because we couldn't do it."then atchison county health department received 10 vials of the moderna vaccine just before christmas.dr. aron burke, fairfax hospital: moving forward if we are going to return to a normal society that we've been used to for many, many, many years.

The vaccine is going to be necessary for us to do that."

On christmas eve eve -- doctor aron burke went first.dr. aron burke, fairfax hospital: knowing that there is a vaccine and somewhat seeing someone turning on a very dim light at the end of the tunnel, i mean yes, it's one of those things that is relieving."he's the medical director holt and atchison counties, and their joint ambulance district, two nursing facilities and the medical director of the hospital in fairfax.julie livengood administrator, atchison co.

Health dept.: "it was funny.

It was like all eyes on him.with so many people watching -- he knew it was important he lead by example.dr. aron burke, fairfax hospital: having seen it, face-to-face with patients who have gotten sick that have died because of this virus.

I think this vaccine is very important for everyone.

You're not just protecting yourself.

You're protecting everyone you come into contact with including those that are at high risk."109 people followed.

One by one -- rolling up their sleeves.julie livengood administrator, atchison co.

Health dept.: they held up a little sign for the reason they go the vaccine and a majority of them did it for their family or their friends or their patients and so that's our nurses.

They are very caring and they want to protect you."reporting madeline mcclain kq2 news health officials say we still have a long way to go -- so in the meantime-- wash your hands, wear a mask, social distance, and stay home when your sick.

Still ahead