COVID-19 vaccine arrives in La Crosse

The COVID-19 vaccine arrived at La Crosse’s two hospitals Monday. Both Gundersen Health System and Mayo Clinic Health System received their first doses of vaccine.

Mayo staffers began to get their shots shortly after delivery, while Gundersen has scheduled its first vaccinations for Tuesday. 

Frontline health care workers are the first to get doses, and plans are to give the vaccine next to older patients at risk, along with police, firefighters, and teachers.       

Gundersen CEO Dr. Scott Rathgaber believes the Pfizer vaccine will be effective in shortening the pandemic.  

“This is a vaccine that has come to us with a lot of science and a lot of rigor,” said Rathgaber. “We feel very confident that it is the right bullet to fight the pandemic.”

Mayo vice-president Dr. Paul Mueller calls the vaccine “highly effective and safe,” and a “welcomed turning point” in fighting the coronavirus.