Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital Emergency Department Chief Receives Greenport-Based Hospital’s First COVID-19 Vaccine

On Monday, December 21, at 12:45 p.m., Lawrence R. Schiff, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, who evaluated and treated Suffolk County’s very first COVID-19 positive patient at Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SBELIH) back in March, made history by becoming the first person at the Greenport-based hospital to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

In rolling up his left sleeve and receiving the vaccine, the SBELIH Emergency Department Chief sent a very clear public message: the vaccine is safe. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been found to be over 90 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 following two doses. This highly anticipated, monumental moment was documented as his colleagues looked on.

“I’m extremely grateful to be part of the solution to this disease that has tragically impacted so many,” said Dr. Schiff. “This vaccine allows me to continue safely caring for my patients, while better protecting my family, friends and community.”

Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital will administer vaccines according to the criteria from the New York State Department of Health (DOH), which includes a combination of physicians, residents, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners and other hospital staff. The vaccine administration will be spaced out to ensure ample staff members remain able to continue providing necessary patient care. SBELIH notes staff will be vaccinated as soon as possible.