WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — It was a day to celebrate at the Reservoir Nursing Home in West Hartford.
The COVID-19 vaccine arrived here Friday and 95-year-old Jean Peters was the first resident to get her shot.
“I don’t know how I feel, I feel great. I am delighted to get the shot, hope everyone decides to do the same thing,” she said
There are more than 20,000 people living in Connecticut nursing homes and the state’s goal Is to get at least 80% of them vaccinated. Nursing home staff are also a priority right now and Reservoir Nursing Home nurse, Sophia Walker was among those to roll up her sleeve.
“If you work as a nurse, I think it would be the best thing to do,” said Walker.
FOX61’s Keith McGilvery asked what the arrival of the vaccine will mean for family members eager to be with loved ones in Connecticut nursing homes and were told the same limitations will remain in place for now.
“They will need to continue--tomorrow and the next day. And for quite a number of weeks actually, until we have very large numbers of people inside nursing homes and outside nursing homes vaccinated,” said Genesis Healthcare Chief Medical Officer, Richard Fiefer, who was leading the vaccination effort at the Reservoir Nursing Home.
Governor Ned Lamont was also at Reservoir to announce the vaccinations. He says he’ll get vaccinated publicly when it is his turn and is asking all of us to stay patient.
“I want them to know it is going to take a little bit longer. They are going to have to stay here at the nursing home. We have a vaccine, that’s the veil of hope, and within a month or so, once the vaccine is done, you’ll be able to celebrate a really beautiful holiday with your family.”
Walker wants families to know her team is doing all they can. “We are there for them, we care for all of our residence, we love them, we are there to support them and take care of them,” she sid.
And Jean is hopeful others will follow her lead saying getting the vaccine was not a problem. “I feel fine, I feel good, the shot was no problem.".
The goal is to have nursing home residents vaccinated by the end of January.