Staff at the Dryden Regional Health Centre now have extra protection against COVID-19.
The hospital administered the first COVID-19 vaccines to staff on Tuesday, after receiving doses of the Moderna vaccine that morning from the Northwestern Health Unit.
Physicians, nurses and assessment centre staff are among those who received these first doses.
These first doses were allocated for staff considered highest priority under Ontario’s guidelines for vaccinating healthcare workers based on vulnerability and criticality.
“I’m very pleased that we are able to start vaccinating some of our frontline staff,” says Doreen Armstrong-Ross, Chief Executive Officer of the Dryden Regional Health Centre. “This is a very exciting development for our organization, and the community.”
While the arrival of vaccines is a step in the right direction, Armstrong-Ross reminds the community it will still be a while before we see a return to normal.
“Vaccinating our staff is an important step, but there is still a long road ahead. We will all have to continue to do our part and follow public health guidelines such as wearing masks, physical distancing, and avoiding non-essential travel.”
The Northwestern Health Unit is responsible for distributing vaccines in the region and at this time, there is no information on when more vaccines will arrive in the community.
DRHC is ready to work with the health unit in planning and executing vaccination clinics for residents of Dryden and the surrounding area.
The health unit has said long-term care home residents and elder care home residents will get their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks and long-term care home staff, essential care givers and highest priority health care workers will be offered their first dose across the region.
