First COVID-19 vaccines for care home residents rolling out in Interior Health region, beginning in Oliver

Photo: Contributed

Betty, a Sunnybank care home resident in Oliver, receives the first vaccination for a care home resident in the Interior Health region.

COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out to seniors in the Interior Health region, and two Oliver long-term care homes which are experiencing outbreaks received the first doses.

The first vaccinations went to residents at Sunnybank care home in Oliver, at which an outbreak was declared Wednesday. As of Friday, 13 more residents have tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 15, along with four staff. 

While Interior Health was in the community, they also vaccinated residents at McKinney Place, which has 77 cases to date: 54 residents and 23 staff, and 14 deaths.

“After fighting this pandemic for almost a year, today Interior Health marked a heart-lifting milestone. Vaccinations are rolling out and residents at Sunnybank long-term care home in Oliver are officially immunized," Interior Health said in a statement.

"As vaccine deliveries continue to arrive, and immunizations accelerate throughout our region, we must not lose focus on following the public health guidance that prevents the spread of COVID-19. Adhering to that guidance, combined with COVID-19 vaccine, will help bring an end to this challenging pandemic."

Sunnybank resident Betty was the first to receive the vaccination Friday.