Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Residents at Lennox and Addington County’s John M Parrott Centre received their first dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday.
That marks a major step towards allowing friends and family back into the home for regular visits.
To celebrate the occasion the JMPC staff created props for a fun photo shoot for the residents who became ‘official members of kick COVID-19’s butt club.’ The resident council prepared a cake for the Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington Public Health staff members who were on hand to administer the shots.
“It was very exciting. The energy in the home was amazing,” said JMPC director Angela Malcolm.
Enough vaccines were provided for every resident to get a dose if they so chose, with about 94 per cent consenting to do so. That made for enough left over for 12 staff members to get the shot.
The second shot will be administered 28 days after the first.
JMPC residents weren’t the only ones to roll up their sleeves this week as Deseronto’s Friendly Manor residents also received their first shot.
“The residents received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19,” said a post on the home’s Facebook page. “The residents were very happy about getting vaccinated and we did not have any reactions to the vaccine.”
Amherstview’s Helen Henderson Care Centre also reported getting their first dose on Thursday.
The Ontario government has prioritized residents, staff, essential caregivers and other employees of congregate living settings that provide care for seniors in Phase 1 of the vaccine rollout.