Miramichi Lodge in Pembroke hopes to start vaccinations early in February

Renfrew County long-term care homes are hoping to start vaccinating residents, staff and essential caregivers early in February.

On Monday (January  18th), long-term care administrators were told by the province they still have the same goal to have the first doses administered to residents, staff and essential caregivers, by February 15th. However, with no doses of the Pfizer vaccine expected to be shipped to Canada next week, that could push back dates.

Director of long-term care with the County of Renfrew, Shelley Sheedy, says everything is subject to change as they’re receiving updates and new information daily and sometimes hourly. In terms of a vaccination plan for the two long-term care homes operated by the County of Renfrew and City of Pembroke (Bonnechere Manor in Renfrew and Miramichi Lodge in Pembroke), Sheedy says they will be ready to go whenever the vaccine arrives.

She says between residents, staff and essential caregivers there could be between 500 to 600 people per home who will need the COVID-19 vaccination. Sheedy says long-term care staff staff will vaccinate residents, community paramedics will help vaccinate staff and essential caregivers will be vaccinated with the help of the Renfrew Victoria Hospital (for Bonnechere Manor) and Pembroke Regional Hospital (for Miramichi Lodge).

The County of Renfrew director of long-term care says it’s a rapidly evolving situation based on supply and distribution. Sheedy says if things change and there’s only enough of the vaccine to go around to residents they will be ready.

There’s no indication whether Renfrew County long-term care homes will be receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Sheedy says it’s too early to start talking about lifting restrictions at local long-term care homes, but adds there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

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