Care homes preparing for COVID-19 vaccines

Oakview Place residents will be among the first in Manitoba to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

"Working with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, we are delighted to confirm that residents of Oakview Place will be among the first long-term care residents in Manitoba to receive vaccinations next week," a spokesperson from Extendicare says in an email to CHVN.

Oakview is one of seven homes in Manitoba in the province's first phase of vaccinating seniors. Oakview is currently one of the dozens of care homes experiencing an outbreak.

"We have been in touch with all residents and families to answer any questions and are ready to support this long-awaited milestone for the Oakview Place community." 

Approximately 1,157 people across the seven homes are set to receive a dose next week. Teams from the province are set to arrive at the initial homes, starting Monday. 

"Access to the vaccine for our dedicated team members is already underway and will continue to progress in the days ahead. We remain focussed firmly on the safety of residents and team members and will continue our tireless work to protect them until this virus is no longer a threat to their health."

Vaccinating people at care homes will take more time to do due to staff going from room to room to vaccinate and needing to change PPE. Staff from the homes will be assisting the teams, especially if a resident requires a familiar face during the interaction. 

The province is hoping to vaccinate an estimated 9,834 people in care homes over the course of two months, giving them their initial dose in the first 28 days of the campaign. 

Oakview Place was also one of the homes set to receive a CoVisitation Shelter from the province to allow residents and family members to visit. While they were originally slated to open in the fall, they were put on pause. The province says the shelters will be installed this year.