An Arbors resident receives their first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (ARBORS PHOTO)
WESTFIELD- The Arbors at Westfield senior living facility hosted its first COVID-19 vaccination clinic Friday.
The Arbors’ Executive Director Debbie DePaola said that approximately 110 people received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. A second dose is required approximately three weeks after the first dose is administered.
An Arbors resident (right) gives a thumbs up with Arbors Executive Director Debbie DePaola. (ARBORS PHOTO)
DePaola said that the response to the vaccine clinic was very positive among the residents, their families and staff.
“Resident families in particular are grateful that the Arbors at Westfield has been able to give their loved ones this opportunity,” said DePaola. “Keeping our staff, residents, and resident families safe is our number one priority.”
The Arbors adopted the theme “Smile, We are HalfWay There” for Friday’s vaccine clinic. The building has been decorated with smiley faces in celebration.
Senior congregate living facilities have been among the hardest hit groups over the course of the pandemic because of the highly infectious nature of the coronavirus and its mortality rate among seniors.
One of the most infamous examples in the U.S. of the damage the coronavirus can do to a congregate living facility happened locally early on in the pandemic. In the Spring of 2020, the virus swept through the Holyoke Soldiers Home, causing the deaths of at least 76 veterans.
