Meritus Health celebrates 100,000th COVID-19 vaccine given since 2020

Meritus Health celebrated its 100,000th COVID-19 vaccine, given Tuesday morning with plenty of fanfare.

The first COVID-19 shot was administered at Meritus on Dec.18, 2020.

Doug Levine, 55, of Williamsport was the lucky recipient of this major milestone as he received his second booster of the Moderna vaccine. It was administered to him by Lisa Neff, a registered nurse at the Meritus COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Robinwood Professional Center near Hagerstown.

The tally of shots includes both the Robinwood Professional Center clinic and the health system's mobile clinic.

As the announcement was made Tuesday, and a packed room of people waiting or receiving their shots clapped, Levine took it all in stride.

"I'd rather be the person who receives the $100,000 lottery," said Levine, who repeatedly asked Meritus officials if they would award him a flat-screen TV.

He was awarded a large, cardboard replica COVID-19 vaccination card with his name and date printed on it.

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Levine, who works for the Washington County highways division, did get serious, saying he was getting his second booster because it was necessary to give him the best chance of avoiding the virus that has claimed more than 580 people in Washington County.

"I'm staying consistent with what we're suppose to do," he said, noting he'd already received his first two vaccination shots and his first booster.

The only symptoms he experienced after those were "minor body aches," he said.

Neff was thrilled to give the 100,000th vaccine.

"It's exciting," she said. "We have a great turnout today. It's awesome."

Katherine Rohrbaugh, supervisor of COVID operations at Meritus, announced the news to the crowd.

"This is a huge accomplishment for us," she said. "I want you to know how proud I am of our staff."

In an earlier interview, Rohrbaugh said the health system is seeing large volumes of people coming for their shots to the clinic every Wednesday.

"Especially individuals over age 50," she said.

The Food and Drug Administration has authorized a second COVID booster shot for those individuals ages 50 and older. And the FDA recently authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine booster for those ages 5 to 12.

The Meritus COVID-19 vaccine clinic is in the Robinwood Professional Center atrium, at the Blue entrance.

The clinic administers both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

For more information on the times the vaccines are given, and how to register, go to https://www.meritushealth.com/patients-visitors/covid-19-information/covid-19-vaccine-information.

Sherry Greenfield is the Education Reporter, covering Washington County Public Schools and the Washington County Board of Education. 

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown health system gives 100th covid vaccine since 2020