The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer/Quill Publisher/Owner
Stronghurst– Many senior citizens, caregivers, and those with health issues are especially anxious to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and that was exactly the case at OAK WOOD ESTATES Friday.
Walgreen's Pharmacy with store manager Andrew Culver of Monmouth, and Dr. David Hogan, Pharmacist at Macomb's Walgreen's held a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic with 41 vaccines administered in an 1-1/2 hours period. Everything went smoothly.
Walgreen's (along with CVS Health) entered into a partnership in November 2020 with HHS (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services) to provide access across the country to COVID-19 vaccines once available based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CDC have named front-line health care workers and residents and staff of long-term care (LTC) facilities as first to receive the vaccine and both Walgreens and CVS have been actively in the process of administering COVID-19 vaccinations at LTC facilities.
Two doses of the vaccine are needed for it to be completely effective. With the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which is being used by Walgreen's, a 21 day interval between shots are required, according to Dr. Hogan.
Culver and Tapscott kept busy with paperwork, taking insurance cards and answering questions.
Dr. Hogan filled syringes from vials of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine which he said arrives frozen until they are ready to use it. Then it must be thawed and administered within 5 hours with any unused remainder, discarded.
At Oak Wood, almost everyone arrived early or on time, and were lined up and waiting for their first shot by the 1:00 p.m. start-time Friday.
You could feel the urgency of those working in health care, who wanted to insure as many get the vaccine as posstble in order to halt this pandemic.
Although most all Oak Wood residents had been pretty fortunate to avoid the coronavirus, it has put a stop to their having many activities, and restrictions for most visitors, including family members, except for the few essential caregivers who are allowed.
Administrator Bobbi Tapscott, was anxious to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
"We are working very hard to safeguard our residents against the COVID-19 Virus," Tapscott said. "I encourage as many as possible to get the vaccine to ensure their safety and that of our staff and caretakers."
Very early on Henderson County Retirement Center implemented robust protocols to protect against COVID-19, doing everything in their power to keep residents safe.
The vaccine is reported as 50% effective after the first shot, and 95% effective after the second shot."
The week before, 24 Oak Lane residents, 23 staff members, and 12 essential care-givers had gone thru the same clinic at Oak Lane and received the vaccine.
Walgreen's is 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:
You should not get the vaccine if you-
What's the benefits of the Pfizer shot?
What are side effects of the Pfizer shot?
those who have taken it have reported:
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. Call Bobbi Tabscott at Oak Wood (309) 924-1910, with any questions.
Pharmacist David Hogan of Walgreens, Macomb, gives Bobbi Tapscott, Oak Wood Estates Administrator the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Walgreens were at the Oak Wood facility in Stronghurst conducting a clinic for Oak Wood staff, residents and caregivers this past Friday, January 22. Walgreens returns in February after the required 21 days, and administers the second and final dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Shots were given to 19 residents, 9 essential caregivers, and 9 employees. One staff member already had the shot, and 4 out of the 14 employed at Oak Wood are not getting the shot at this point.
-Photo by Dessa Rodeffer/Quill Publisher/Owner