Fairfield nursing homes receive COVID vaccines

FAIRFIELD - The COVID-19 vaccine has entered the arms of dozens of nursing home residents and staff in Fairfield.

SunnyBrook Assisted Living and Parkview Care Center reported that they received the first round of doses of the vaccine this week. Staff from Walgreens Pharmacy administered the shots, which arrived at SunnyBrook on Wednesday and at Parkview on Thursday. The second round of doses will arrive in three weeks.

Parkview Care Center Executive Director Sarah Flattery said she was excited to receive the much anticipated shipment of vaccines.

'We know the demand for the vaccine is great, and we're very fortunate that we're part of the Phase 1A priority group,” she said.

Flattery said her facility had some COVID cases but has been COVID-free since Dec. 28, the date of the last positive test among a resident or staff member.

Ginny Hughes, marketing director for SunnyBrook Assisted Living, said SunnyBrook was able to avoid any COVID cases for a long time.

'We were the only facility for miles around that had no COVID cases,” Hughes said. 'We were so proud of our infection control. And then, somehow it got in.”

Hughes said SunnyBrook's COVID cases were reported about three or four weeks ago. She said the facility was well prepared with the necessary personal protective equipment. Residents who tested positive had only one caregiver, which helped stop the spread of the virus. Hughes said most of the building's COVID cases were mild. Now that the residents have gotten their first round of vaccines, they're optimistic about returning to a normal life soon.

Residents at SunnyBrook reported few problems after receiving their vaccines Wednesday. Esther Plum reported she had no adverse reactions, not even arm or shoulder pain.

'I know some people have reported that, but I had no problems whatsoever,” she said.

Plum said she wasn't that afraid of the virus because she takes the recommended safety precautions like wearing a mask wherever she goes. Hughes added that Plum was among the first residents to wear a mask, even before they were required.

'I think it prevented me from getting the virus,” Plum said. 'I'm very happy to get the vaccine. I don't think I'm going to get the virus now.”

Resident Vera Young said she 'didn't feel badly much at all,” except for a little arm soreness after the shot.

'It's no different from any other vaccination,” she said. 'It's a little sore, but it doesn't bother me.”

Resident Dorothy Rathbun went further, saying she felt 'wonderful” after getting the vaccine.

'They told us to start moving the arm we got the shot in,” Rathbun said, 'and not to sleep on that side. Whenever my arm starts to ache, I move it around in a circle a few times and that works.”

Rathbun is familiar with deadly pandemics. Her husband William contracted polio in 1950, and although he did not die from it, the virus robbed him of a beautiful baritone singing voice. Rathbun said the effects of polio were often evident in the community. People saw children walking with crutches or confined to wheelchairs. When the vaccine arrived in 1955, everybody lined up at the doctor's office to get a shot.

Rathbun said the effects of COVID are more hidden than those from polio, but she said that, after learning how many people have succumbed to COVID, there was no question about getting the vaccine.

'I've encouraged my friends to get the vaccine,” she said. 'It was a beautiful day yesterday seeing everyone go through.”

Plum, Young and Rathbun said they're remaining as active as can be until life returns to normal. Hughes said SunnyBrook has been able to continue offering its same programming but with masks and social distancing incorporated. For instance, Plum exercises for half an hour each morning and plays Wii bowling. Young was able to spend a few weeks visiting her daughter in Keosauqua. Rathbun said one thing she does miss is that the facility can no longer host musical acts from outside.

'We all miss the music, because there's something about it that's calming to us,” she said. 'But we have a lot of games to play here. We're all in this together.”