First Kelowna to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, a nursing assistant, says she can do her job more safely now.
Charmane Lazzarotto received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine along with other long-term carers and doctors on Tuesday.
“As a health worker, caring for vulnerable people every day and knowing that I can protect them by preventing the spread of COVID-19 is an incredible feeling,” Lazzarotto said in a press release from Interior Health.
“I’m so happy to be more secure, to feel more secure and to be part of history as we fight COVID-19,” she said.
Since the pandemic began at the beginning of this year, nursing aids have been the health workers who have to be susceptible to COVID-19.
A total of 44,776 self-identified healthcare workers in BC tested positive for COVID-19. That number equates to eight percent of all health care workers in the province, according to the BC Center for Disease Control.
Nursing assistants make up nearly a quarter of all infected health care workers, with registered nurses accounting for six percent and licensed practical nurses accounting for six percent.
With vaccine shipments arriving every week, Interior Health plans to expand its clinics for healthcare workers.
“The availability of this vaccine will help protect the most vulnerable loved ones in our lives, and I encourage everyone to get a shot,” said Kelsey Medhurt, the first vaccine recipient in Kamloops.
The introduction of the vaccine will be a “gradual process,” according to Interior Health, asking everyone to continue to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, e.g. B. Observe physical distancing, hold on to the core bladder and practice frequent hand washing.
Here are the first priority groups for vaccines, according to the provincial government website: long-term care and assisted living, and local residents; Healthcare facility staff in facilities such as critical care and emergency rooms; Indigenous peoples living in rural or remote communities; Homeless people; People over 80.
In the spring, when more vaccines become available, older people under 80 years of age will be given top priority in descending five-year groups. all other health care workers, police officers, fire fighters and paramedics, grocery store workers, teachers and school staff; Transport workers, workers in production and production.
“By priority groups, everyone else in BC can get the vaccine as soon as it becomes available if the vaccine is recommended for them,” the government website said.
“Anyone recommended the vaccine in BC will have the opportunity to receive the vaccine by the end of 2021,” the website said.
