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The first COVID-19 vaccines were administered in Montgomery County on Wednesday, Dec. 23 in the auditorium of St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.

Ten vaccines were administered on Dec. 23, with clinics for fellow colleagues scheduled Dec. 28-30. COVID-19 vaccines were also administered on Wednesday at Hillsboro Area Hospital.

All of the vaccines were administered smoothly and safely.

The doses, which arrived Wednesday morning, were administered to colleagues providing patient care, all of whom voluntarily consented to receive the vaccine. At this time, Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) is not requiring its colleagues to receive the vaccination, although they are recommending colleagues receive the vaccine when it is available to them.

HSHS St. Francis Hospital will be following the CDC guidelines to determine during which phases their colleagues will receive the vaccine. Locally, they will work closely with the Montgomery County Health Department as they continue to receive additional doses.

Local hospitals still encourage people to do their part to decrease the number of COVID cases in the area by being diligent with proper hand washing, social distancing, wearing masks and staying home when we are ill.