BTV Cares
BTV Covid Vaccine Clinics Offer Hope for Better Days Residents, Staff Receive Moderna Vaccine After a year of life-altering restrictions, missed friends and families — and way too much time feeling locked away — a series of vaccination clinics on the Butterfield campus has brought renewed hope to residents. CEO Quintin Trammell said approximately 98% of residents and around 70% of staff have received the Moderna vaccine administered by BTV pharmacy partner Collier Drug Store. BTV rolled out a two-phase vaccination Resident Nelda Farthing receives a Covid vaccination at BTV. program between December and February, prompting excitement and relief that was clearly evident from “I think the most important thing has been a feeling the many smiles and sounds of laughter as people of hope that the situation will begin to improve – and anxiously waited in a safely distanced line that life will return to some semblance of normalcy,” to receive injections. Poertner said. “It also gives residents a sense of protection and safety, not only for themselves “It has been such a tough year for our residents but for their family and friends. Hopefully, being and staff who are accustomed to a very socially vaccinated will ease some of the fear and anxiety engaged community,” said Trammell. “We were so that many have been experiencing.” thankful to finally take this first huge step toward what we anticipate will eventually allow a return “Once the Moderna vaccine received emergency to more of the activities and amenities that bring authorization through the FDA, we moved forward,” retirees to Butterfield.” Director of Health Care Services Jay Green said. “It made sense for us to partner with Collier Drug Store, To address the needs of Butterfield’s most vulnerable and they were eager to serve our entire campus.” individuals, residents and staff from the BTV Health Care Center (HCC) and Assisted Living Center (AL) “Collier Drug Store is a longtime provider of flu were vaccinated under the first phase of the plan. A vaccinations at BTV and knows our residents well, he pharmacy team from Collier arrived the morning of said. “There were a few sore arms, but for the most Dec. 30, 2020 and went room-to-room administering part there is a calm over us,” said Green. the initial round of the vaccine, then returned to provide the second, final round on Jan. 27. “We are very grateful that Collier was available to partner with us on something so important. It’s Less than two weeks after the first phase began, the reassuring to know our residents are continuing to second phase of the program brought the vaccine to receive the highest quality of care and services, even hundreds of independent living residents (those in during a pandemic,” he said. apartments, cottages and Village Homes), and other staff on campus. The Collier team spent Jan. 11, 12 Like Green, Poertner had high praise for the pharmacy. and 14 providing first doses in the large Performance Hall, then returned Feb. 8, 9 and 11 to give “The employees at Collier Drug — as well as at other second injections. pharmacies in the community who are conducting these vaccination clinics — they deserve kudos,” Patricia Poertner, senior director of BTV Resident Poertner said. “They’re working long hours to make Services, said there has been a collective sigh of sure everyone gets vaccinated as part of the process.” relief among residents following the vaccinations. BUTTERFIELD LIFE
MARCH + APRIL 2021 11
