Photo Release: First COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in New Hampshire

Concord, NH – This morning, Heidi Kukla, RN, a nurse at Elliot Hospital's intensive care unit, was the first individual to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the State of New Hampshire.

"This is the beginning of that light at the end of the tunnel that we have talked about for so long," said Governor Chris Sununu. "Distributing this vaccine is one of the most important undertakings in the history of our state. New Hampshire is prepared and we are moving."

"As an ICU nurse, I volunteered to be first to get this vaccine because I know a lot of people have reservations about getting the vaccine," said Heidi Kukla, RN. "Getting this vaccine for me is the first step in having all of this be done - and I really hope that our getting this first inspires other people to not be afraid and to step up and get the vaccine."

In addition to Heidi Kula, the following individuals were also vaccinated at this morning's event:

• Jen O'Neill, RN, Intensive Care Unit, Southern NH Medical Center
• Sandy (Sandra) Mortimer, Physical Therapist, Elliot Hospital
• Michelle Bryan, RN, Emergency Department Nurse, Elliot Hospital
• Dr. Melissa Martinez-Adorno, Obstetrics & Gynecology Physician, Southern NH Medical Center

New Hampshire received 12,675 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the first shipment delivered to the state. Shipments will continue to arrive on a weekly basis. The vaccine will first be administered to at-risk health care workers.

Note: Video of this morning's event can be found here.