GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — About 175 people received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Samaritas Senior Living Tuesday. Direct care workers, staff, and residents were among the first to receive the dosage of the Moderna vaccine.
"It felt great and I was excited," said Deborah Mallett, the Nursing Home Administrator, after getting her shot. "Ready for the next dose."
Nursing homes all across Michigan have faced a challenge mitigating the virus in 2020. Many residents went months without being able to hug their family members, if at all. Mallett said they had a higher positivity rate last year, but now it is low. There is nobody in their COVID-19 unit at the moment.
"With all the restrictions, it's also tough for the residents, tough for families," said Greggory Dawes, the Infection Prevention Clinical Manager. "And tough for us making sure we’re doing the best for the residents, but that also does limit what they can do."
Dawes called today's vaccination a "step in the right direction." While rapid testing and other protocols will not end right away, he hopes one day soon to open back up for families to visit. However, much of that also depends on state orders and community positivity rate.
"The majority of our residents signed up for it," said Dawes. "They say herd immunity is 70 percent or more, which we are well above. So, that could mean a lot of things for us. We'll still have to test, but not as much worry about having COVID going through the building."
Mallett said they had a medical director educate the staff and residents about the vaccine, and they have been looking forward to this day for a while.
Staff said it made them happy to see so many of their co-workers and the residents sign up for the vaccine. It is a way to keep those they work with safe and healthy.
"Just because of who I help take care of," said Dawes, "I’m still out in the public, and going to the stores sometimes, and wearing the mask like you’re supposed to. But, I’m a risk bringing it into them. If I get the vaccine, that limits me being a risk to them."
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