COVID vaccines slowly rolling out to Regina care homes

As the COVID vaccine rollout spreads wider and wider in Saskatchewan, two care homes in Regina are now receiving doses.

The province said as of Dec. 30 1,834 doses of the 1,950 Pfizer Bio-N-Tech vaccine doses from the pilot project had been administered to front-line healthcare staff, and remaining vaccines would be offered to staff at the Regina Pioneer Village long-term and Santa Maria Senior Citizens’ homes.

Kelly Chessie, executive director of Santa Maria, confirmed the vaccine wasn’t offered to residents and was only offered to some staff — those she referred to as “direct care staff.”

Chessie said this was disappointing for some, but they’re happy at least a portion of those working in the home can be involved.

Staff getting the vaccine have told Chessie they’re “thrilled” and that the vaccine brings a sense of optimism, and Chessie herself said she was relieved.

However, Chessie said they don’t know when residents or the rest of the staff will be offered a vaccine.