News Photo by Crystal Nelson Tom Thornton, a general surgeon and vice president of medical affairs at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena, receives Northeast Michigan’s first COVID-19 vaccine from nurse Deb Stosick today at the hospital.

ALPENA — Tom Thornton, general surgeon and vice president of medical affairs at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena, was this afternoon the first in Northeast Michigan to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

Ten COVID-19 vaccines were administered today at the hospital, the 10 hospital employees chosen because they are on the hospital’s vaccination team, including employees from quality, infection prevention, employee health, the pharmacy, and a few physicians.

Thornton said he read a lot of studies on the vaccine and felt comfortable receiving it.

“It didn’t feel any different than getting the flu shot or any other vaccine — actually, no pain at all with the needle and no soreness, currently,” he said. “There’s nothing to it.”

The vaccine reached Alpena as public health officials reported Northeast Michigan’s lowest one-day increase in new infections since Nov. 5 but reported one more Montmorency County resident died after being infected with COVID-19.

News File Photo MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena pharmacist Sarah Tarkington and Pharmacy Manager Laura Caplis prepare the COVID-19 vaccine before it is administered at the hospital in this 2020 News file photo.

Pulmonologist Daniel Maxwell also received the vaccine today. Maxwell said it’s important to let the community know that doctors at the hospital stand behind the vaccine.

Thornton said he would recommend the public get the vaccine when it becomes available to them, which is expected to happen by spring or summer, after health care workers, those in nursing homes, and those most at risk of serious complications from COVID-19 infection, including those 65 or older, are vaccinated.

Check out a video below of Thornton talking about what it’s like to receive Northeast Michigan’s first coronavirus vaccine. Viewing on mobile? Turn your device horizontally for the best viewing experience. Story continues below video.

The vaccine, manufactured by Pfizer, arrived at MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland at 10:15 a.m. today via United Parcel Service. Richard Bates, regional vice president of medical affairs, brought the vaccine to Alpena from Midland, arriving about 30 minutes later than planned.

Courtesy Photo Dr. Richard Bates, regional vice president of medical affairs, MidMichigan Health, delivers doses of the coronavirus vaccine to the Alpena hospital this afternoon. "It was an honor to drive the vaccine to my hometown. It is providing hope to a community that has seen enough of COVID-19."

Bates said he brought 130 doses and Alpena hospital employees will be vaccinated today, Friday, and Saturday.

“We will vaccinate 130 of our medical staff and employees in the next three days, and then we’ll start bringing up even more vaccines the following week,” he said. “We’ll probably do another 150 in the following week.”

A second vaccine, developed by Moderna, is nearing federal approval.

MidMichigan Health, the Midland-based owner of the Alpena hospital and six other Michigan hospitals, received 2,925 doses of the vaccine, 1,950 more than originally anticipated, spokeswoman Millie Jezior said.

Those who work in the hospital’s intensive care units and on the medical or COVID-19 floors are included in the first rounds of vaccinations. Emergency medical service staff are also included in the first round.

News Photo by Crystal Nelson Tom Thornton, a general surgeon and vice president of medical affairs at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena, checks in before receiving his vaccine today at the hospital. Thornton was the first person in Northeast Michigan to receive the vaccine.

Meanwhile, the state today outlined the priority list for vaccination.

First up will be paid and unpaid health care workers who have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and are unable to work from home, as well as residents of long-term care facilities.

The interactive graphic below shows active infections in Northeast Michigan over time. Story continues below graphic.

Next will be workers in essential and critical industries, including those in health laboratories and funeral services, followed by those with underlying medical conditions and people 65 years and older.

Last will be mass vaccination, expected by late spring. The vaccine is meant for those 16 or older.

The vaccine is free to the public, although health care providers may bill insurance providers for administrative costs.

The vaccine requires two doses, separated by three or four weeks, depending on the manufacturer, to have full protection from the virus.

The interactive chart below shows cumulative infections, recoveries and deaths in Northeast Michigan over time. Story continues below graphic.

Public health officials today reported five newly infected Northeast Michiganders, including one Alpena County resident, three Presque Isle County residents, and one Montmorency County resident.

That means that, as of today, 1,384 Northeast Michiganders were actively infected, meaning they’d been confirmed infected with COVID-19 but have not recovered or died, and could infect others.

As of Monday, 18 COVID-19 patients, two of whom were in intensive care, were hospitalized at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena, according to state data. The Alpena hospital was 36% full.

As of today, 129 people were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection across the state-designated, 18-county health care region that includes Alpena, Presque Isle, and Montmorency counties, according to state data.

Since the pandemic hit Michigan in mid-March, 1,777 Northeast Michiganders have been infected, according to local public health agencies.

Of those, 355 have recovered and 39 have died.

Flip through the interactive timeline below to see how the coronavirus spread through Northeast Michigan.