Canadian Press file photo

By Shane Clausing

seniors vaccinated

Over 80% of Grande Spirit Foundation residents have received COVID-19 vaccine

Mar 11, 2021 | 1:29 PM

The Grande Spirit Foundation says 82 per cent of residents in their senior lodges and apartments have been administered at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccine doses have now been distributed to all seniors lodges in Alberta.

Steve Madden, the General Manager of the Grande Spirit Foundation, is hopeful that by getting the shot in the arms of residents, it will mean things will get back to normal in the near future.

“My initial thoughts on this are that everyone is very excited, and they know the end of the COVID era is slowly creeping ahead as we start to see these vaccines move out in the community and more towards the most vulnerable and our seniors.

“Everybody stepped up and we’re really proud to see that and proud of everybody for participating.”

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Seniors at the lodges are expected to receive their second dose of the vaccine within the next month. The Grande Spirit Foundation operates five lodges in the southern Peace Region.

With shots going into the arms of residents in the lodge, Madden says restrictions will slowly get lifted, but adds everyone still has to remain vigilant.

“We have to wait out the ‘wait period’ after the vaccine to make sure the strength of the vaccine actually does its job,” said Madden. “For the lodges, I think we all look really forward to opening up visitations a bit more, certainly outside.

“We don’t know about indoors yet, but we look forward to seeing what the province can offer based on restrictions and those scientific efforts.”

Madden mentioned staff members of the homes are also stepped up to get vaccinated. He says most of the staff members will be eligible to get their first dose within the next month.