GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spectrum Health has now vaccinated hundreds of its employees during its large scale vaccine clinic, the first of many taking place Tuesday at three regional hospitals. Those locations included Butterworth Hospital, Big Rapids and Lakeland.
As of Tuesday, Spectrum has 1,950 doses on hand and is expecting up to three more shipments this week. They are currently vaccinating frontline health care workers from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, more than 150 employees had been vaccinated by lunchtime. Once they receive more shipments, however, Spectrum intends on vaccinating around 6,000 people per week.
RELATED: COVID-19 Vaccinations Underway: Where are you in line?
Behind the large-scale effort are hundreds of team members at Spectrum Health, including Dr. Darryl Elmouchi, a cardiologist who practiced for more than 20 years before becoming Spectrum Health West Michigan's President and CEO.
"This last year, helping this organization through our COVID response has been the most meaningful things I've ever done. It really feels I feel like we've done an amazing job, caring for our community, caring for our team members," said Dr. Darryl Elmouchi, who was in the room when the first vaccine was administered on Monday.
RELATED: Skipping second dose of COVID vaccine could lead to virus spreading, mutating, experts say
RELATED: Pfizer's Kalamazoo facility already distributes more than 1.6 million vaccine doses
Dr. McClelland, the first physician in the state to receive the vaccine, is reporting no adverse side effects 24 hours later. A couple of the first recipients are complaining of a mild headache while one is reporting slight chills.
"Today, just a bit of a sore arm, similar to what you expect with any other vaccine, but otherwise I feel fine. I have no other symptoms right now, and I feel totally normal," said Dr. McClelland, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Physician.
Spectrum is not requiring its employees to receive the vaccine but strongly encourages it.
SEE MORE: CORONAVIRUS IN WEST MICHIGAN