Kelsey Medhurst was the first COVID-19 vaccine recipient in Kamloops, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Interior Health
December 22, 2020 - 3:40 PM
The first COVID-19 vaccinations in the Interior Health region have been administered to long-term care workers in Kelowna and Kamloops.
Interior Health is celebrating a milestone in the fight against COVID-19. As part of the provincial COVID-19 immunization program, Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been received and is being administered to long-term care staff and physicians.
“You have no idea what this means to me,” said Charmane Lazzarotto, the first vaccine recipient in Kelowna. “As a health care aide, I care for vulnerable people every day and knowing I can protect them by preventing the spread of COVID-19 is an incredible feeling. I am so happy to be safer, feel safer, and be part of history as we fight COVID-19.”
Charmane Lazzarotto was the first COVID-19 vaccine recipient in Kelowna, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Interior Health
As vaccine arrives each week, Interior Health looks forward to expanding staff clinics throughout IH.
“In Kamloops we have worked so hard, especially in long-term care, to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Kelsey Medhurst, first vaccine recipient in Kamloops. “Having this vaccine available will help protect the most vulnerable loved ones in our lives and I encourage everyone to get one.”
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also received a vaccination today.
READ MORE: Dr. Bonnie Henry gets initial dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Interior Health reminds everyone that vaccine roll-out will be a gradual process and it is very important to stay focused on observing all of the public health guidance that helps prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The health authority is reminding everyone to stay vigilant and follow COVID-19 precautions:
• Keep to your household bubbles and avoid social gatherings.
• Stay home when you are sick, and get tested if you have any symptoms consistent with COVID
• Practice physical distancing and use a mask if you cannot.
• Wash your hands often.
Testing is available for people with new or worsening COVID-19 symptoms.
For information about vaccine be availability for individuals in care (long-term care, hospitals) and other priority populations, visit the health authority's website.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2020