A successful first day of mass vaccination at the MUHC
The MUHC is proud to be part of the vaccination effort, ensuring that our seniors are better protected against COVID-19.
Annie Castro, Assistant Head of Immunization Clinics at the MUHC, says the preparation to vaccinate over 400 patients a day has gone well. "There were some adjustments to be made, but our six vaccinators did a very good job; special mention goes to the retired nurses who accepted the challenge. They do not only vaccinate the elderly person, but also the caregiver, when the person is eligible and has made an appointment, while taking into account social distancing and other health measures. The collaboration between the teams in setting up this vaccination clinic is also to be highlighted. It must be said that we were able to fine-tune the process by vaccinating the healthcare workers a few weeks ago.»
There was a good turnout on this first day of mass vaccination at the vaccination clinics of the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) and at the Glen site of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). At the end of this first day of operation, some 900 people had received their vaccine at the two sites. For them, and for many others, getting vaccinated is a relief and a promise of a more "normal" life. Many had not been out of their homes since March 2020.
Annie Castro, assistant manager of the vaccination clinics at the MUHC, says that preparations to vaccinate more than 400 patients per day went well. "There were some adjustments to be made, but our six vaccinators did a very good job; a special mention goes to the retired nurses who accepted the challenge. They do not only vaccinate the elderly person, but also the caregiver – when this person is eligible and has made an appointment – while taking into account social distancing and other health measures. The collaboration between the teams in setting up this vaccination clinic is also to be highlighted. It must be said that we were able to break in by vaccinating our healthcare workers a few weeks ago. »
At the Glen site, people in the clinic were emotional about finally getting their vaccine and caregivers were reassured and equally happy, says Valérie Ann Laforest, nurse manager of the MUHC COVID-19 vaccination clinic. “The first day went well! We will be making some adjustments in the next few days so that we can better accommodate the needs of the clientele.”
Pat on the back!
Andre McNamara, who brought his 90-year-old mother to the clinic at the Glen site, left a voicemail message praising the work of the teams.
“What a great job you are doing with vaccination at the MUHC… Everything from the parking, the shuttle, the whole way that it was handled was absolutely wonderful. We went through so quickly. Everybody was friendly and helpful; it was not stressful. Right away the security guard greeted us and asked us the time of our appointment and brought us to the front of the line for 8am appointments. The person that checked us in and gave us the form, the nurse who that did the vaccine, the person that watched over us as for the 15 minutes break at the end, everybody was wonderful. Bravo to you. I am so thankful my mother got the vaccine and looking forward to coming back for her second dose in May. Pat on the back!”
Congratulations to all the MUHC teams that made these vaccination clinics a reality.
Here are some of the people who were amongst the first in line to get their vaccine on the first day the clinics opened to the general public.
Coming with her 70-year-old son, Anna Freger Swelbec, 91, waited patiently in the recovery area reserved for those who have received the vaccine.
Huguette Charton, 89, had nothing but good words for the logistic organization of the clinic, from online appointment booking to on-site vaccination.
Waiting in line, Ruth Hottman, 85, and her husband David Steinberg, 80, were eager to receive the vaccine at noon today.
A resident of Outremont, Ghislaine Pesant, 70, was vaccinated at the same time as her older spouse.
Arnaud Sales wanted to thank everyone involved in the fight against this pandemic. His daughter is an infectious disease physician in Markham Stouffville, in the Toronto area and also a McGill alumna.
Anthony Hobbs and his wife Nicole felt relieved after receiving their first dose of the vaccine yesterday at the MUHC, where we felt totally secure and surrounded by professionals!
Anne Gibson, 92-years old, was accompanied by her son Mark and says she was absolutely happy about getting the vaccine.
Husband and wife Sylvia and Glynn Piggott are pictured here feeling good moments after being vaccinated. They said they are looking forward to being able to travel to Jamaica again.
Jeannine and Lise Di Giacomo, sisters aged 90 and 77 years old respectively, wait in line to receive their vaccine. Lise says that although she was never one to voluntarily get vaccines, she was fearful of the virus and is happy the day finally arrived.