‘It’s been tough, but we have a job to do’
First COVID-vaccinated state employee shares her thoughts
“Do not be afraid,” the first state employee to receive a COVID-19 vaccination said.
“I’m happy. I’m not scared,” added Sophal “Paula” Soth, 55, an Environmental Services Supervisor at Shattuck Hospital after she rolled up her sleeve. She was given her first of two doses of the Pfizer mRNA coronavirus vaccine Friday and the Herald was there to capture it all.
Soth, a native of Cambodia, started as a janitor at the Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain 30 years ago and is now a supervisor. But, she said, what matters is helping get beyond this pandemic.
“It’s been tough, but we have a job to do,” she said. “We have to keep the place clean and if a COVID room needs to be done, I had to make sure the job was done right.”
Soth is on the front lines of the virus — now she’s protected.
Shattuck Chief Operating Officer Virginia McErlane and Chief Nursing Officer Justin Douglas were also present at the vaccination.
“The vaccination is important in helping protect me from COVID,” Soth said. “When I was told I had the opportunity to take the vaccine and that I was the first state employee, I felt honored.”
Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel said Massachusetts “has placed equity at the core of our COVID response and it is essential that all of our front-line workers receive this critical vaccine.”
Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders also praised the “hard work and commitment from each and every state employee during this unprecedented time.”