Chatham-Kent received its first COVID-19 shipment this morning, and by shortly after 2 p.m., the first dose was injected into Bill Breedon’s arm.
Shortly after the vaccine doses – which CK Public Health officials said are in limited supply – arrived, Public Health personnel prepared the vaccine for delivery to long-term care homes to begin inoculating residents.
Breedon, a resident at Riverview Gardens, was the first individual to receive the vaccine today at the long-term care come.
“I’m very grateful to be the first resident at Riverview Gardens to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. I am saying yes to the vaccine for health reasons; I have a history of strokes and want protection from the disease and the severe symptoms that can come along with it,” Breedon said in a media release.
The vaccines are being administered by trained staff from both CK Public Health and Chatham-Kent EMS, according to local officials.
“Under the province’s Ethical Framework for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, long-term care homes are the first priority population to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. This population is most vulnerable to the transmission and spread of the virus,” said Dr. David Colby, Medical of Officer for Chatham-Kent.
“This is the shot in the arm we have been waiting for,” said Lori Marshall, President and CEO, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. “This initial rollout is a major turning point for us in the pandemic; we’ve seen rising cases in our own community and increased hospitalizations. The vaccine is critical to help save lives and protect hospital services.”
To stay up to date on vaccine distribution in Chatham-Kent: https://ckphu.com/covid-19-vaccine/.
• This story will be updated.
