COCHRANE— The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to Cochrane continuing care homes is nearing completion, but the distribution has not been without hiccups.
Residents of Big Hill Lodge received their first dose of the vaccine on Jan.11, said manager Sandra Robin, and the second dose is set to take place on Monday (Feb. 8).
It was emotional seeing the first dose of the vaccine administered, she said.
“Knowing that this very vulnerable group of people were on their way to being just that much safer … This is my family, it was very emotional to see that. It was a pretty special day,” Robin said. “I’m sure Monday will be just as emotional and just as special.”
Robin said the biggest concern at the Lodge now, is only eight staff have received a first dose of the vaccine and 22 are still waiting.
“There’s no word on anybody else getting it,” Robin said. “It’s a little nerve-wracking.”
She questioned why staff are not getting the vaccine as they are the ones moving in and out of the Lodge.
Robin said the risk remains for residents and stringent health measures will be in place to ensure the safety and health of those who call Big Hill Lodge home for the foreseeable future.
“The vaccine is just one part of how we are going to stay safe,” Robin said. “Following all the guidelines and the health regulations that are ordered are just as important with or without that vaccine.”
It is a waiting for game now, Robin said, and she has been speaking almost daily with Alberta Health Services but still has no word on when the rest of the Big Hill Lodge team will receive the vaccine.
On Monday (Jan. 25) The Canadian Press reported Alberta Minister of Health Tyler Shandro said the province will be receiving 63,000 fewer doses of the vaccine in the first quarter of the year.
Originally Alberta expected to see a reduction of 20 to 80 per cent of its expected doses of the vaccine.
In the last week of January, Alberta received no new doses of the vaccine and the province saw a 78 per cent vaccine shortfall in the first week of February.
"This is a grim situation that seems to be getting worse every week," Shandro said.
Vaccine delays have been widespread across the world after Pfizer shut down its manufacturing facility temporarily to scale up operations.
The vaccine reductions are expected to be made up later in the first quarter, the federal government has said.
The province reached a new landmark in the vaccine rollout on Tuesday (Feb. 2) with more than 17,000 people achieving full immunization. To date, more than 107,400 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Alberta.
Mark Dixon, marketing and communications manager for Connecting Care, the organization operating Points West Living communities said residents of the Cochrane home received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 13. Their next dose is scheduled for Feb. 10, it was originally scheduled for Feb. 3.
He noted the second dose of the vaccine must be administered within 21 to 28 days of the first dose.
The majority of staff at Points West Cochrane have received their first shots, but are waiting for their second dose to be scheduled by Alberta Health Services. He added some staff are waiting for their first vaccine to be scheduled.
“Our concern is always for the health and safety of our residents,” Dixon said. “Things that are beyond our control there’s not much that we can do about that. We have contingencies, upon contingencies.”
Points West continues to work closely with Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and the network of Points West Living communities to ensure the rollout goes smoothly.
“We haven’t heard any concerns specifically for [Cochrane], but there are obviously concerns overall about the delays about protecting the residents, about protecting our most vulnerable,” Dixon said. “But, it’s our reality so we’re dealing with it the best we can.”
The situation evolves daily and Points West is doing its best to adapt to information as it becomes available, Dixon said.
Front line care partners at Points West remain committed to adapting and doing everything possible to keep residents safe.
He added mental health of staff and residents also remains an important topic of discussion and action.
“The lockdowns, the restrictions, the personal protective equipment— All of that is draining on the mental health of our residents and our care partners. That’s a big part of our focus— Our concern is always for the health and safety of our residents,” Dixon said.
A spokesperson for Bethany Cochrane said residents received their first vaccination on Jan. 8 and their second vaccination is scheduled to take place on Feb. 5. It was originally scheduled earlier but was pushed back by Alberta Health Services.
Staff at the facility have begun to receive vaccinations, but these are scheduled separately from residents by Alberta Health Services.
Some Bethany Cochrane staff have received their first vaccine while others are still waiting to be scheduled for an appointment through Alberta Health Services.
