Cleveland, OH - U.S. Marine Corp Veteran and Painesville, Ohio native, Paul Leskovan became the first long-term care Veteran, patient to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine today at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.
When asked whether he thought others should get the shot, Leskovan said “anyone who doesn’t get it is a fool…because who knows how long this stuff is going to last.” Leskovan has been in the Cleveland VA’s Community Living Center since May 2020.
His unit has been closed to in-person visitation for the entirety of the pandemic.
One of Leskovan’s son’s is a trauma surgeon in Michigan and when asked about any hesitation with getting the vaccine, Leskovan said if his son’s doctor and he got it and doesn’t have a problem getting it then no one else should have a problem getting it either.
The Cleveland VAMC became one of the first 37 VA Medical Centers in the country to receive the Pfizer vaccine Tuesday. Vaccine distribution began Wednesday with more than 100 healthcare personnel. Healthcare personnel and Veterans in VA’s long-term care facilities were given priority to receive the vaccine in accordance with Center for Disease Control and Prevention Guidance.
As vaccine supplies increase, additional Veterans will receive vaccinations based on factors such as age, existing health problems and other considerations that increase the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19. Veterans can sign up for an easy way to stay informed about VA’s COVID-19 plans by visiting www.va.gov/covid-19-vaccine/.
By sharing their interest, Veterans can help VA better prepare as it works to offer vaccines to more Veterans. VA’s long-term goal is to vaccinate all Veterans and employees who are interested in receiving it.
Video from today’s first vaccination can be found here: https://assets.adobe.com/public/d6f2f7a8-f7ba-4f18-42a4-e56db7d6a57e/87cdb85e-b673-448e-ab81-66458bd2bb8e
A photo of Paul Leskovan receiving the vaccine from VA Pharmacy Resident Emily Gicewicz is attached. Additional photos of the first four VA Northeast Ohio Veterans to receive the vaccine will be available on the healthcare system’s Facebook page later today (www.facebook.com/clevelandvamc).
For more information, please contact Kristen Parker at Kristen.Parker@va.gov or 216-301-9462.
Photo courtesy of Cleveland VA Medical Center
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