Elmira Personal Support Worker first to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region – Siham Ibrahim an Elmira personal support worker (PSW) received Waterloo Region’s first COVID-19 vaccine at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener today. 

She was one of 10 staff from Chartwell Elmira Long-Term Care Residence who were vaccinated in the region’s first COVID-19 immunization clinic.

“We extend our gratitude to all levels of government for their expediency in making the vaccine available to the front lines of long-term care,” said Sharon Ranalli, Vice President Marketing and Communications, Chartwell Retirement Residences. “In today’s first vaccine of a Chartwell employee, and in the days to come as more receive it, the Region of Waterloo is giving all citizens hope that the fight against COVID-19 is achievable and will indeed save lives and protect our residents.”

Vaccination of local long-term care staff will continue over the coming days and weeks. In the event there is surplus vaccine from any no-shows or cancellations, the task force is working with hospital partners to prioritize vaccination of local hospital staff most at-risk.  

Based on provincial information released to date and identified priority populations, the task force is planning ahead so that as vaccine arrives, distribution continues as quickly as possible to the most at-risk.

“This has been a tremendous logistical undertaking to prepare for the vaccine’s arrival and the launch of immunization clinics,” said WRPS Deputy Chief Shirley Hilton. “I can’t think of a better way to welcome the holidays than to begin vaccinations in Waterloo Region. Thank you to the community for your patience. Roll-out of the full vaccination program will take time.”

“The work that has been done over the last week and a half to prepare for the vaccine’s arrival and to begin immunizations is nothing short of remarkable,” said Region of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman. “Thank you to Deputy Chief Hilton and the task force for your incredible leadership and to our partners in the provincial and federal governments for quickly securing and distributing vaccine to support front-line workers in Waterloo Region.”

Photos and video of the PSW receiving the first vaccination are available for media use here.

More information and regular updates on the work of the task force are available on the Region of Waterloo’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Taskforce Webpage.

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For media information, please contact:

Connie MacDonald,

Chief Strategy & Communications Officer, Region of Waterloo

Email: conmacdonald@regionofwaterloo.ca 

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