An octogenarian is looking forward to getting a poke in the arm Jan. 7 to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am going to take the shot,” said 85-year-old Marjorie Flemmer, who lives at Heartland Retirement Residence in Okotoks. “We have been very fortunate here that they have taken care of us very well.
“The shot will be another avenue of getting over this COVID, as well as getting back to normal.”
COVID-19 vaccinations for Foothills area seniors began this week.
Tudor Manor in Okotoks had residents receiving Moderna vaccinations on Jan. 6. Meanwhile at Westwinds Communities facilities, vaccinations for residents start Jan 8. Vaccinations for those living at Rising Sun long-term-care at Oilfields General Hospital also began this week.
Residents of Heartland, a supportive living residence, receive their vaccinations Jan. 7 – at Heartland – and their follow-up shot on Jan. 28.
“I think it is important because we have tried everything else for the last nine or 10 months,” Flemmer said. “We cannot continue to have all the lockdowns we have had, as well we are losing a lot of our people through illness.
“It (the vaccination) is maybe not the total answer to COVID, but it’s the only answer.”
She admits at over 80 years of age, both her and her husband are at a high-risk if they get COVID.
“We are looking forward to getting the shot,” she said.
Jonathon Krieger, executive director at Heartland, said he has no idea how many of the 120 approximately residents will receive the shot.
“We are working with all the things that come up – allergies – consulting with the health professionals and using the information from Alberta Health Services to share out to them (residents),” Krieger said. “We are hoping we have good up-take but it is definitely not mandatory.”
Although there have been no COVID cases at Heartland, Krieger is pleased to see the vaccinations coming to the residency.
“I think this is really important and I am hoping this allows some normalcy, not just in our building,” Krieger said. “We know this has been a really hard year on our seniors… the ability to have only two designated visitors come in, the fact they can’t go out to see families..
“All of the stuff that has been put down by the government – really for their (seniors) safety – but the mental well-being of the seniors, we have seen kind of degrade over the last year.
“We’re hoping this will allow us to open up some more and give them that connection with the community again.”
Krieger said Heartland staff will receive the vaccine at a later date.
The Moderna vaccine will be administered to Westwinds Communities facility residents beginning on Friday (Jan. 8) at Sandstone Lodge in Okotoks, said Westwinds CAO Lauren Ingalls.
High Country Lodge residents Black Diamond will receive the vaccine on Jan. 11 and High River’s Medicine Tree Manor on Jan. 20.
“We are receiving the vaccine much, much earlier than initially indicated,” Ingalls said. “The Province’s publication had indicated we would receive the vaccination in the spring. We are quite impressed to have it roll out earlier.”
She said the vaccine will provide peace of mind for residents.
“We are seeing a number of our residents sign up,” Ingalls said. “We hope to see well over 80 per cent of our residents participate.”
She said the vaccine is only for residents. If there are some doses not used, they are available for staff using a lottery system.
“If we have 55 people and there are 60 doses available, there will be a small number of doses available for staff and that will be done on a lottery system," she said.
In an email to the Western Wheel, Tudor Manor site manager Carlee Brown called Jan. 6, crazily busy day as residents were vaccinated.
"The residents got their first dose of the Moderna vaccine today and will get the second dose at the 21-28 day mark," she said.
"The staff will get vaccinated according to the AHS roll out, and I do not have confirmed dates for this at this time."
