A shot in the arm will provide some peace of mind for an Okotoks paramedic while she provides emergency care.
Helene Hamilton, a primary-care paramedic in Okotoks, received her COVID-19 vaccination on Jan. 17 in Calgary.
“Myself and my colleagues were pretty excited to be part of the earlier phase than originally planned and we are moving up to Phase 1,” Hamilton said on Friday. “As paramedics we work in a very dynamic environment, we never really know what we are walking into and sometimes people aren’t always forthcoming with symptoms.
“We’re not always entirely sure if we are dealing with someone who could potentially have been exposed or be symptomatic with COVID.”
Paramedics were moved up to Phase 1A of the vaccination rollouts, Premier Jason Kenney announced on Jan. 11 during a press conference.
“Starting right away paramedics and emergency medical responders will also be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” Kenney said.
Hamilton said paramedics have excellent personal protection equipment resources available - and the vaccine provides further protection.
At present, paramedics wear eye protection, a basic surgical mask and gloves when attending a medical emergency.
“At the point we come into a situation if it hasn’t been identified that there is the possibility of a COVID exposure, we will ask specific questions when we arrive at a home about symptoms and possible exposure to COVID-19,” Hamilton said. “If there is a possibility this person may be COVID-19 positive we will then go to an extra layer of protection.”
That extra layer of protection has paramedics maintaining eye protection, a switch from the basic mask to an N-95 respirator and a gown is put on over the uniforms.
“Sometimes our response times are very quick and dispatch doesn’t have the time to ask all the questions regarding COVID symptoms,” Hamilton said. “Sometimes we get onto a scene and the concern the person had that resulted in the 911 call may take a higher priority than establishing they have symptoms for COVID.”
If there is doubt, the extra protection is added.
She said for a call such as a heart attack when time is vital, paramedics will gown up before entering the scene.
Hamilton said she personally has had concerns about COVID-19 since March, as she has a young family and a husband that also works in the medical field.
“There’s always that underlying concern that I will be exposed and then bring that home to my family,” she said.
She said the vaccination will help her take that nervousness down a notch.
Hamilton said she was impressed that she was able to get her first vaccination done within a week of the government’s announcement.
Meanwhile, firefighters and police personnel, who are often first on scene to an emergency, have not yet been moved up the priority list for vaccinations.
“It’s my understanding there has been a lot of pressure from the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police and the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association to include police and fire in the vaccination process,” said Kelly Stienwand, Okotoks protective services director. “I don’t agree that our first responders were not included in this rollout.
“Our first responders are out there each day and have been since the beginning of the pandemic they are responding to homes and facilities where patients are positive for COVID-19. It’s important we do everything we can to protect them and their families.”
He stressed firefighters and police service personnel understand there is a limit to vaccinations as the government first tries to vaccinate front-line medical personnel and those more vulnerable to COVID-19, such as those in long-term care facilities.
“We have tremendous respect for the challenges that Alberta Health Services has with limited amount of vaccinations,” Stienwand said. “We would love to see a commitment from the government on how we fit in on this rollout.”
There have been 81,561 COVID-19 vaccinations administered in Alberta as of Jan. 15.
Kenney said the “stretch” goal is to have 200,000 vaccinations a week by the end of March.
He said vaccinations hinge on the rollout of doses to provinces from the federal government.
Those eligible for vaccinations (courtesy of Alberta government website)
Early Phase 1: December 2020
Immunizations were offered to key populations, with a focus on acute care sites with the highest COVID-19 capacity concerns in Edmonton and Calgary:
- Health-care workers in intensive care units
- Respiratory therapists
- Staff in long term care and designated supportive living facilities
Phase 1A: January 2021
Immunizations are being offered to key populations across the province:
- Respiratory therapists
- Health-care workers in intensive care units
- Staff in long term care and designated supportive living facilities
- Home care workers
- Health-care workers in emergency departments
- All residents of long term care and designated supportive living, regardless of age
- Health-care workers in COVID-19 units, medical and surgical units, and operating rooms
- Paramedics and emergency medical technicians
