Point in history. Muriel Sheldon receives her Pfizer vaccination from LPN Charmaine McKnight at Herb Bassett long term care home Thursday. (submitted photo/SHA)

By Glenn Hicks

COVID-19

First COVID vaccines given in Prince Albert

Jan 7, 2021 | 4:39 PM

The light at the end of the long COVID tunnel is now visible in Prince Albert.

The first recipients at the start of the roll-out of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the city Thursday included health care staff and long term residents. And with these crucial vaccinations came messages of hope – along with continued doses of realism – that this may well be the beginning of the end of a virus that has so far claimed 177 lives in Saskatchewan with more than 17,000 others testing positive.

“I feel very fortunate to be [among the] first to be vaccinated,” said Dr. Romashnee Moodliar, a practicing physician working at the city’s COVID Testing and Assessment site. “I think it will definitely help us turn the corner in fighting this pandemic, but I urge people not to lose sight of the fact that we still need to continue social distancing, washing our hands and wearing masks for a long time to come.”

Dr. Romashnee Moodliar, a practicing physician working at the city’s COVID Testing and Assessment site, gets her vaccination from Danielle Sande, a registered nurse, immunization and communicable disease coordinator. (submitted photo/SHA)

Moodliar’s comments, like those of some other fellow professionals, were provided to the media by a pool photographer and audio recording from Saskatchewan Health Authority. COVID protocols prevented paNOW reporters from covering the events.

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“If you have the opportunity for the vaccine, take it,” said Michelle Devers, an ICU Registered Nurse at Victoria Hospital, who has been among the team of people caring for the influx of COVID patients. (submitted photo/SHA)

Michelle Devers, an ICU Registered Nurse at Victoria Hospital, is among the team of people caring for the influx of COVID patients in recent months and is in no doubt about the importance of this latest step in the fight to get on top of a pandemic that has killed 20 people in the North Central Zone, which includes Prince Albert.

“Everyone should get their vaccine … if you have the opportunity for the vaccine, take it,” she said.

The vast majority of the fatalities due to the pandemic are seniors. Herb Bassett Home long term residents Muriel Sheldon and Dennis McCallum were also among the first to be vaccinated Thursday.

Dennis McCallum, a resident at Herb Bassett Home, got his Pfizer vaccine from Jilleen Mathiason, RN. (submitted photo/SHA)

Prince Albert has now received 3,900 Pfizer doses, which will all be used as first doses. The Saskatchewan Health Authority will communicate clinic information to eligible staff and facilities.

“We have a social responsibility to each other.” Dr. James Samson, Chief of Emergency Medicine (Prince Albert). (submitted photo/SHA)

The arrival of these first Pfizer vaccines for the highest priority recipients in Prince Albert, as well as the start of the roll out of the Moderna product across the far northern areas, is being greeted with a sense of hope. But Dr. James Samson, Chief of Emergency Medicine (Prince Albert), reminded everyone of their shared responsibility that includes continuing with strict social distancing and hygiene practices.

“Not only do we have rights and freedoms in Canada, but we also have [a] social responsibility to each other…” Samson said.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow