It is essential that the community listen and consider the healthcare advice of our local physicians. Coffee Regional Medical Center (CRMC) has increased outreach efforts to educate the community on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccination. With a community vaccination rate of 26% in early August, President, and CEO, Vicki Lewis, made a plea to local business and industry leaders to assist with community education. “We are seeing a third surge in COVID positive cases,” Mrs. Lewis said. “We need you, as business leaders, to help us create a vaccination surge.” Lewis offered to personally come to area industry and business, along with CRMC’s Chief Medical Officer, Aris Cochon, M.D., to speak directly with the workers.
Community and industry leaders responded, and special information sessions were booked immediately and in the coming weeks. Many sessions have been completed, all with positive feedback. Frontline physician and CRMC CMO, Aris Cochon, M.D., has been the medical expert, speaking with local industry with a single message, GET VACCINATED. After working the front lines the past 18 months, Dr. Cochon knows all too well just how deadly this virus can be. Dr. Cochon has shared that vaccination is our best defense against this deadly virus. He has offered very informative, candid, and transparent information, which the workforce of these industries has well received.
Information sessions are being followed with on-site vaccination clinics to ensure employees have the opportunity to be vaccinated. Lewis’s motives with vaccination education are not only to support community wellness, but also to ensure CRMC can effectively care for our community. Coffee County is a community laden with essential industry; Lewis believes that our community’s workforce must remain healthy and at work.
As of August 8, the CDC reported that 29.1% of the Coffee County population 12 years and older had received at least one dose of the COVID vaccination. At the time of this report, August 12th, 2021, the number had already increased to 30.4%. Those aged 65 and older are reported to have a 50% vaccination rate locally.
Coffee Regional Medical Center will continue its efforts to assure everyone eligible is vaccinated. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit us online at coffeeregional.org/coronavirus.