Marian Regional Medical Center rolls out 3,200 COVID-19 vaccines

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Mayor Alice Patino is one of thousands getting the COVID-19 vaccines as it rolls out at Marian regional medical center in Santa Maria.

"It was great. It didn’t even hurt. I was so glad it was over with though. So I can’t believe how amazing this is, and how fast they get us through and how efficient it is," said Patino.

Dignity Health patients, healthcare workers and those age 75 and older are also getting vaccinated right now.

"So we’re working in partnership with Santa Barbara County Department of Public health to distribute approximately 4,000 COVID-19 vaccinations for those at high risk in Santa Barbara County communities," said Dr. Scott Robertson with Marian Regional Medical Center.

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, doctors hope everyone will get vaccinated for the health and safety of themselves and the community.

“I would ask if anyone, once their time comes in, and they're offered a vaccine, to go out and get it, because this is the protection we need to get back to our normal lives,” said Robertson.

Doctors describe the vaccine rollout as a “new marathon.”

“Trying to get each and everyone of us in it in the public of vaccinated it’s gonna take a lot of time there are still a lot of hurdles that we have to get through but it’s extraordinarily important work that we need to accomplish,” said Robertson.

As people get vaccinated Mayor Patino believes we can conquer the pandemic sooner by working together and continuing to do our part.

"I certainly hope everyone comes out and does it, it doesn’t take long and it’s painless. We just don’t help ourselves, we hope everyone around us," said Patino.