Med Center Health gives 100,000th Covid shot to 7-year-old

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – 7-year-old Suttan Gilliam pushed her fears of needles aside to make history. Med Center Health gave Suttan Gilliam their 100,000th dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. 

Now in the Commonwealth, 58 percent of people have received at least one dose of the vaccine. 

Med Center’s Corporate Director of Pharmacy Caleb Benningfield said overall their Bowling Green clinics have distributed over 400 of those doses. 

“It’s really important to recognize this achievement and to celebrate it, but to also encourage folks to do what Sutton is doing today,” said Benningfield.

He said he hopes to see more and more patients through their doors.

“100,000 doses is something that we’re very proud of, but we don’t want it to take away from the fact that there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Benningfield remarked. “We’re still seeing hospitalizations with Covid in our facilities, and when you look at the data, a lot of those folks are unvaccinated.”

Sutton’s dad, Timothy Gilliam, said this milestone number was certainly a surprise. 

“It’s pretty cool that she was the 100,000 here locally,” he said. “We’re grateful to live in a community that has taken the virus so seriously. We’re grateful for Med Center Health to make this process smooth and seamless.”

As for Sutton, herself? She knew she had compensation waiting to reward all her toughness. 

“I’m going to shop, and I’m going to get $50 from my Nana,” she said.

Those looking to receive their vaccinations can visit https://medcenterhealth.org/ for more details.