Residents and staff at two Bruce County long-term care homes have received their first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
On January 27th, 128 residents and seven staff members at Brucelea Haven Long Term Care Home in Walkerton and 90 residents and 13 staff members at the Gateway Haven Long Term Care Home in Wiarton received their first doses. Many residents expressed relief and gratitude for finally receiving the vaccine, which is the first step toward hopefully ending the ongoing pandemic. The Grey Bruce Health Unit is maintaining vaccine administration and planning based on their “COVID-19 Vaccination Program Plan” with a focus on protecting the region’s most vulnerable populations.
The Grey-Bruce Health Unit is reminding the public that though this is a positive step, we are not out of the woods regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the public are encouraged to continue to practice public health guidelines and stay home as often as possible until otherwise directed.
After receiving the Moderna vaccine, Gateway Haven resident Florence Wright, formerly of Hepworth, said, “The vaccine is protection. It will be nice to see the end of this pandemic. It’s nice to get the vaccine and I hope it does the job."
Warden Janice Jackson added, “I would like to thank the Grey Bruce Health Unit and our region’s frontline workers for moving us one step closer to the end of this pandemic by continuing to advocate for safety and by rapidly vaccinating our long-term care, high-risk retirement, and First Nations elder care residents. Thank you to our residents, long term care staff, and families for your daily cooperation as we make each day better and push forward together.”
