CentraCare Long-term Care Residents Receive First Doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

Residents at CentraCare and Carris Health long-term care facilities now are receiving the first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine as part of the effort to protect our most vulnerable from the virus.

On Dec. 29, vaccinations began at several regional CentraCare long-term care facilities including Carris Health – Care Center & Therapy Suites in Willmar where 20 residents received the first dose of the vaccine.

“Our team will never forget this moment,” said Carris Health – Care Center Director of Nursing Amanda Thorson, RN. “Before we began, I gathered our team around the vaccines, which we called ‘Hope in a Bottle,’ and said a prayer of thanks, prayer of hope, prayer of strength, prayer of protection, prayer from the heart that this vaccine will prove to help so many and bring relief to our community.”

Harriet Lobbins, who is 106 and a survivor of COVID-19, was the first resident to receive the vaccination at Carris Health – Care Center. Harriet recovered from having COVID-19 in mid-November. Residents who have already had COVID-19 and meet the guidelines will still receive the vaccine.

On Dec. 30, vaccinations started at CentraCare – St. Benedict’s Community in St. Cloud where 20 residents were given the Moderna vaccine.

“The leadership and employees of CentraCare Senior Services are elated to begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations to residents,” said Susan Kratzke, Vice President of CentraCare – St. Benedict’s Community. “This year has been filled with regulations, increased infection control practices and surveys, managing PPE, designing safe ways for providing services and visitation to residents.”

“As we look to 2021, it is with immense hope and encouragement about what the year will bring,” she continued. “Providing residents, the opportunity for vaccination offers so much more for them than reducing their risk of COVID-19. Residents, families, and staff celebrate all that is ahead with this proactive step in the journey we have all been on in 2020.”

CentraCare and Carris Health long-term care facilities will continue to conduct vaccination clinics this week and next week in order to protect our most vulnerable populations.

Because the initial supply of the vaccine to the United States is limited, currently only frontline health care workers and long-term care residents will receive a vaccine as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The arrival of COVID-19 vaccines — both the Pfizer and Moderna — are welcome news and that it is something CentraCare looks forward to distributing to the public. When more doses are made available, the necessary communication on how to schedule a vaccine will be announced.