The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

First COVID-19 Vaccine Administered at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab Friday

by Dessa Rodeffer/Quill Publisher/Owner

Stronghurst- There seemed to be some very anxious and happy faces at Oak Lane Nursing and Rehab Friday, which is very unusual when one is anticipating a shot, but the staff and nursing home residents at Oak Lane were happy a vaccine was finally here that could protect them from getting COVID-19.

Many residents and staff had already had the coronavirus and said they were taking the vaccine because they don't want to get it again.

Others said they were getting it to protect themselves, or to protect their family and other residents at the nursing home.

Administrator Valerie Adams volunteered to be the first one to get the shot administered by the Walgreen's staff who had arrived early at Oak Lane to give the first dose of the vaccine and to take care of the needed paperwork that goes along with it.

"We at Oak Lane have been working very hard to safeguard our residents against the COVID-19 Virus," Adams said. "In these difficult times, our 54 member staff and residents continue to showcase incredible bravery to do all we can to ensure their safety."

"It's been the most challenging thing in my career," Adams said, "and I have been working in healthcare since I was 16.

Very early on Henderson County Retirement Center implemented robust protocols to protect against COVID-19, and "we were doing everything in our power to keep your loved ones safe," Adams said,

"You place a great amount of trust in us and we don't take that for granted. "

Even with that, 24 employees and 28 residents had and survived the coronavirus, but sadly they have lost 8 residents during the pandemic.

"I just pray the vaccines work," Adams said. "The vaccine is reported as 50% effective after the first shot, and 95% effective after the second shot."

Friday, 24 Oak Lane residents, 23 staff members, and 12 essential care-givers had signed up to get the shot,

Walgreen's were offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to prevent the Coronavirus Disease 2019 caused by SARS-CoV-2 which is administered as a 2-dose series, 3 weeks apart, into the muscle.

There is no FDA approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19, however the FDA has authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to prevent the virus in inividuals 16 years of age and older under the Emergency Use authorization.

What is COVID-19?

It is a disease caused by a corona-virus called SARS-CoV-2, a corona-virus which has not been seen before. You can get it through contact with another person who has the virus. It is predominantly a respiratory illness that can affect other organs.

People with it have had a wide range of symptoms reported ranging from mild to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.

What should you tell your provider?

Tell your Vaccination Provider before getting the Pfizer vaccine if you:

• have allergies
• have a fever
• have a bleeding disorder or are on blood thinner
• are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• have received another COVID-19 vaccine.

You should not get the vaccine if you-

• had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of the vaccine.
• had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine.

What's the benefits of the Pfizer shot?

• In ongoing clinical trials it has shown that it prevents COVID-19 after 2 doses given 3 weeks apart. The duration of protection is currently unknown.

What are side effects of the Pfizer shot?

those who have taken it have reported:

• injection site pain, swelling or redness
• tiredness
• headaches
• muscle pain
• chills, fever
• joint pain
• nausea
• feeling unwell
• wollen lymph nodes
• There's a remote chance the Pfizer-BioNTeh COVID-19 could cause a severe allergic reaction which could happen within a few minutes to one hour after getting the shot. They could include:
  • difficulty breathing
  • swelling of face and throat.
  • fast heartbeat
  • bad rash all over body
  • dizziness and weakness.

If you have side effects call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital. Report side effects to 1-800-822-7967 also report to Pfizer 800-438-1985.

Must I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Your medical status will not change if you do not get the COVID-19 Vaccine and you do not have to get this shot.

However, Oak Lane and Oak Wood officials encourage as many residents and staff as possibe to get this vaccine.

"The elderly have a much higher risk for getting very sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19. The vaccine has shown it provides a great deal of protection against serious illness due to COVID-19.

The more residents and staff that get the vaccine, the better we can protect our community against Potential COVID-19 outbreaks, and 'Save Lives.

"There's a light at the end of the tunnel," Adams said. We are hopeful that the vaccine will be a lifesaving turning point in the fight against COVID-19."

"Please call Valerie Adams at Oak Lane if you have any questions at : (309) 924-1123.

Pharmacist Natalie (Brent) Blindt of Walgreens administers the first vaccine shot to Valerie Lybarger-Adams, Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab Administrator as a line of nursing home residents wait in line to be next Friday morning.

-Photo by Dessa Rodeffer/Quill Publisher/Owner