Skip to content

COVID-19 vaccine roll out begins in Cochrane

“I think everybody is feeling like at least we’re taking a step forward,” said Big Hill Lodge manger Sandra Robin. “It’s something we all needed to hear— It has raised spirits.”
2020-12-23 moderna covid-19 vaccine
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Photo/ The Canadian Press

COCHRANE— Continuing care residents in Cochrane will be ringing in the new year with the first round of COVID-19 vaccines.

The roll out of vaccines to Points West Living has been fast, said general manager Kevin Cucheron, adding residents are anticipated to recieve their first round of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday (Jan. 13).

“We didn’t expect the residents to get done so quickly,” Cucheron said. “Honestly, we expected the staff to get done first because that’s been the practice so far.”

Points West Living has 122 suites available and has between 110 to 120 residents at any given time. Cucheron said the focus now is on organizing consent forms for the residents, including those who are not their own decision-makers and require permission from family members.

The Alberta Government indicated Early Phase 1 distribution of the vaccine would begin in December and include health-care workers in intensive care units, respiratory therapists and staff in long-term care and designated supportive living facilities. Phase 1A of the vaccine roll out began in January and included respiratory therapists, health-care workers in intensive care units, staff in long-term care and designated living facilities, home care workers, health-care workers in emergency departments and all residents in long term-care and designated supportive living. 

The timeline of distribution will change depending on the vaccine supply available in Alberta. The vaccine is expected to be made available to the general public in the fall.

Residents at Point West will be receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine which was approved for distribution on Dec. 23 by Health Canada. Cucheron said this vaccine was selected due to the storage requirements that allow it to be kept at standard refrigerator temperatures.

“In house is easy because we do vaccinations here twice a year for the flu,” Cucheron said. “It’s really no different than that— The only difference is it has to happen twice.”

Points West staff have yet to begin receiving vaccinations, but Alberta Health Services has asked for their details to begin setting up inoculations. There is no anticipated date as of now for staff distribution.

The facility is a mix of excitement and nervousness in regards to receiving the first round of vaccines, he said.

“Overall, everyone is excited and wants to get it done so that we can start to put this behind us,” Cucheron said. “But, I think with all of this because it was rolled out so quickly, because it hasn’t had time to prove itself, I think there’s always going to be that little bit of trepidation.”

He added that most residents could have in-person visits, virtual visits and outside visits during the pandemic to help stave off isolation— However, Cucheron said Points West has received comments from families that are grateful for the roll out and the renewed hope it is offering that life will eventually return to normal.

“Everybody’s just looking forward to being able to visit like we used to,” Cucheron said. “This is affecting everybody, not just our residents, it affects all of us somehow. I think everybody is looking forward to being able to have this as a memory and move on.”

For now, strict health measures will remain in place at continuing care facilities. It will be business as usual for the foreseeable future, Cucheron said. 

“We’re going to continue like we’re practicing now— Fully masked with security measures in place,” Cucheron said. “All these things we’re doing they’re not going to go away any time soon.”

Staff at Big Hill Lodge are excited the COVID-19 vaccine is anticipated to arrive at the facility for residents on Monday (Jan. 11), said manager Sandra Robin. 

The focus in the lead-up to inoculation is ironing out the logistics of distribution, she said, adding delivery of the vaccine will be similar to a flu-shot clinic.

“Our residents are obviously the absolute main concern,” Robin said.

Big Hill residents are thrilled to see the vaccine come to Cochrane, she said, adding when it was first announced the vaccine would be arriving at Big Hill Lodge she was met with applause from residents.

“I think everybody is feeling like at least we’re taking a step forward,” Robin said. “It’s something we all needed to hear— It has raised spirits.”

The 62 residents who call Big Hill Lodge home will be receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Staff will be inoculated at a separate location. 

Robin said she hopes staff will receive shots soon as they are the transient faction within care homes.

She noted the timelines of inoculation are subject to change, which could occur quickly and with little to no notice.

Residents celebrated a spectacular Christmas and had special New Years' festivities, Robin said, explaining receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is the perfect start to 2021.

“This is just kicking off our New Years' off in the right direction,” Robin said. “The anticipation is going over very positively. I think we’re on the right track.”

In a press release, Bethany Care Society said it has been contacted by Alberta Health Services and public health to schedule vaccinations for both residents and staff. Vaccinations for residents are set to begin taking place the week of Jan. 4. Employees' contact details have been provided to Alberta Health Services and vaccinations are already underway.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks