Dr. Roland Walker, Gary’s health commissioner, rolled his sleeve up at 7:43 a.m. Friday and gave a thumbs-up to those watching as he waited to become the first person publicly vaccinated against COVID-19 at Methodist Hospital Northlake.

“It’s anxious anticipation,” Walker said prior to receiving his shot.

Walker said he wanted to be among the first to get the vaccine and do so publicly to help make sure the African American community would have confidence in the vaccine.

“This is a blessing to our community,” Walker said, adding he has confidence in what he described as a clean vaccine.

“That’s it?” Walker lightheartedly asked after it was over. “I expected a lot more pain than that.”

Walker was one of more than 100 front line health care workers to receive the vaccine at the hospital, according to Dr. Jackie Ivankovic, director of pharmacy services for Methodist. An equal number of vaccinations were scheduled Friday for the Southlake campus as well.

Franciscan Health hospitals in Crown Point, Hammond and Michigan City, also began vaccinating front-line health care workers Friday.

The vaccinations beginning Friday at both health care systems are part of Phase I distribution outlined by the Indiana State Department of Health guidelines. Following front-line health care workers, licensed health care workers who interact with patients and then all other health care workers will follow.

“This vaccine is a welcome start to the definitive battle against this virus, and Franciscan Health will continue to lead the efforts to prevent infection as well as treat those that come down with the symptoms of the infection,” Dr. Daniel McCormick, president and CEO of Franciscan Health Crown Point, said.

Methodist Hospitals received 975 doses at each of its two campuses. Ivankovic said the Methodist had to purchase to ultra cold freezers used to store the vaccine at minus 80 degrees for each campus.

Nurse LaTine Ashana, clinical manager of the COVID-19 unit at Methodist Northlake said she was eager to get the vaccine.

“It’s very exciting. It’s great to be a part of history,” Ashana said.

She was second in line to be vaccinated. Like Walker, she said she was surprised the shot hurt less than a traditional flu shot.

Working in the COVID unit she has seen the upside of recovery stories and the downside of lost patients. She said she hopes the vaccine means the end of the pandemic is in sight.

“I hope that we get on top of this,” Ashana said. “This is what will help us get over the COVID and return us to normalcy. I strongly urge people to get the vaccine.”

Ashana said she was looking forward to getting back on the floor with her staff Friday to encourage them to follow in her footsteps and sign up for the vaccine.

“I’m glad to have it done. I’m excited about it. It’s important to lead by example,” Ashana said.

Matt Doyle, president and CEO of Methodist Hospitals, was on hand for the launch of the vaccination clinic and called the event a “moment in time in history.”

“This is the most important public health initiatives of our lifetimes,” Doyle said. “This is the first step in the continuation of our journey combating this virus,” Doyle said.

He lauded the employees of the system and the workers fighting the virus on the front lines everyday through this pandemic.

“Every single individual at Methodist is considered a hero,” Doyle said.

Dr. Erik Mikaitis, vice president of medical affairs at Franciscan Health Crown Point said the vaccine will help clinical caregivers remain healthy and working in the short term.

“We will also begin to significantly slow the transmission of COVID as we expand the vaccination effort to the community in the coming months,” she said.

Walker, who tested positive for the virus in the spring, said he was happy to get the vaccination because it will help relieve some of his anxiety going home to his family, including his elderly parents who have already fought off the virus once, after a day working around patients. He remains hopeful the vaccine will mean the beginning of the end of the suffering he sees every day because of COVID-19.

“Mentally, I can’t do it anymore,” he said. “So long as I see a light at the end of the tunnel I can move forward.”

Dr. Cynthia Galvan, who works in the emergency room at Methodist Northlake, came straight from her overnight shift in the emergency room to be vaccinated. During initial wave of the virus, Galvan said it did not seem as bad as it is now, whereas the virus seems to be coming from every direction.

She said it was amazing the vaccine was created so quickly and available here in Northwest Indiana.

“I think its awesome. I think as everyone says it will bring us closer to normalcy,” Galvan said.

Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.