GCRMC Receives COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine

A SPECIAL EDITION GCRMC COVID-19 UPDATE

GCRMC Receives COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine
This week, we received our first shipment of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine from the New Mexico Department of Health. The first shipment included 250 doses and we expect to receive two other shipments in the remaining weeks of December. At this time, the state has allocated the first round of vaccinations to health care providers, particularly those on the frontline with the highest risk for COVID-19 exposure. GCRMC has more than 1,100 employees and approximately 70% of our staff work in a clinical environment. We will systematically distribute vaccines to our staff over the coming weeks and provide more information as we learn when vaccinations will be available to our community.

GCRMC frontline medical workers were the first to receive the vaccine this week. They will receive the second dose of the vaccine 21 days following the first.

Our safety protocols remain in place, with an additional regulation regarding surgeries.

In our last COVID-19 update, we shared important information about our COVID-19 safety procedures, what to do if you experience symptoms, and a reminder that Champion Health Connection – our telehealth care option – is always available to you.

One update is the implementation of a new safety protocol. We are following the Department of Health’s recommendation to limit all elective surgeries (except emergency procedures) until Jan. 4, 2021. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page and the next issue of this newsletter for any additional updates.

If you need additional information on coronavirus testing, hospital visitation information or you have other questions or concerns, please call 575-443-7850.

Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to remain safe and healthy during the holiday season.
As 2020 comes to a close and we enjoy the holidays, we encourage you to continue following the CDC’s health and safety guidelines:

Postpone travel and remain home, if possible
Wear a mask
Stay at least six feet away from others who do not live with you
Avoid crowded indoor spaces
Wash your hands often
Get a flu shot if you haven’t already

Visit the CDC website for additional guidance about holiday travel and celebrations.

These measures will protect your health and that of the entire Alamogordo community.

Thank you!
We at GCRMC thank you for your continued support of our frontline health care workers and for adhering to social distancing and hygiene recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is a year we will never forget and we are encouraged and energized by the development and distribution of the coronavirus vaccine. We hope for a better 2021 for your families, our community and the world. From all of us at GCRMC, we wish you a peaceful, joyous and healthy holiday season.