RAPID CITY, S.D. — The distribution of Pfizer’s Biotech COVID-19 continues.
Less than 24 hours after the first five doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to healthcare workers at monument health in Rapid City, nursing home workers at Westhills Village were up next.
“Like I said, COVID, take this because it has taken enough from everybody,” said Nancy Keller, the first Westhills worker to receive the vaccine.
On Tuesday morning, the first group of healthcare retirement workers at Westhills received the vaccination. The shots, although not mandatory, provided hope for an otherwise uneasy situation.
“Every time we come to work and we’re taking care of people, there’s a potential risk that we’re bringing but also a risk that we’re receiving,” said Daryl Reinicke, CEO of Westhills Village.
Healthcare and nursing home workers were designated as among the first to receive the vaccine, an effort to protect those on the front lines.
Reinicke says that this isn’t a decision that workers or people should dismiss so quickly, especially when it comes to your safety as well as your neighbors. He hopes the vast majority of the workers take the vaccine.
“I think without hesitation, anyone who has an opportunity to get the vaccine really needs to seriously consider getting it for themselves and for the people around them,” Reinicke said.
As for the workers of Westhills, receiving the vaccination was about getting back to doing what they love. Caring for their residents, in the safest way possible to make the best memories possible.
“I did this for them,” Keller said. “I’m so proud to be there, thankful to be working with a great staff and for the residents there, and I look forward to the day when they can do what they want to do. They’ve got a lot of living and memories to make.”
A time of fear, isolation, and uncertainty hopefully coming to an end.
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