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Shot in the arm: Covid-19 vaccines administered in Dettah

SA国际影视传媒淥h, that's all?SA国际影视传媒

Dettah's Marilyn Colin was surprised by the simplicity of receiving her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Friday.

The Dettah resident was among dozens of people in the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) community to receive their jabs Friday at the clinic held inside the Memorial Complex.

Dettah's clinic comes just over two weeks after the NWT's vaccination campaign began on Dec. 31. More than 512 doses of Moderna have been given to NWT residents so far, according to the GNWT's .

Rielle NakehkSA国际影视传媒檕, left, prepares to send off Marilyn Colin after she received her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Friday in Dettah. Blair McBride/NNSL photo
Rielle NakehkSA国际影视传媒檕, left, prepares to send off Marilyn Colin after she received her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Friday in Dettah. Blair McBride/NNSL photo

Colin said that before she got her shot she felt some anxiety because the Moderna vaccine is only a couple of months old.

SA国际影视传媒淚t's good the community could get their shots,SA国际影视传媒 she added. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 good we donSA国际影视传媒檛 have to go to Yellowknife and stand in line somewhere.SA国际影视传媒

With the vaccines rolling ahead, Colin said she can begin to think about seeing her daughter in Edmonton again.

SA国际影视传媒淚 haven't seen her since last February.SA国际影视传媒

YKDFN CEO Jason Snaggs said the clinic on Friday was proceeding SA国际影视传媒渨onderfullySA国际影视传媒 and there has been a lot of enthusiasm in the community for the vaccines, especially among the Elders.

Even though the community is receiving its vaccines before the general population of nearby Yellowknife, Snaggs explained that it's important that YKDFN members receive the vaccine because many live in vulnerable conditions.

Eddie Sangris, Dettah chief of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, left, listens as nurse Cherie Cadiz explains details of the Covid-19 vaccine to him, at Dettah's vaccination clinic on Friday. GNWT image
Eddie Sangris, Dettah chief of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, left, listens as nurse Cherie Cadiz explains details of the Covid-19 vaccine to him, at Dettah's vaccination clinic on Friday. GNWT image

SA国际影视传媒淒ettah and Ndilo suffer the same or similar circumstances when it comes to overcrowded houses. We have a population where housing is an issue, and where families live very close knit and in close quarters. It is important that SA国际影视传媒 especially those who have a lot of underlying medical conditions SA国际影视传媒 do get this vaccine. We have a prevalence of pneumonia that typically affects the Elders.

SA国际影视传媒淚t's important that we protect them because they're the keepers of the YKDFN knowledge. We're no different than any other First Nation, whether they are living in a remote community or or living in an urban centre. The issues are the same.SA国际影视传媒

There has been no vaccine hesitancy among YKDFN members, Snaggs remarked, as the First Nation has been advocating the value of vaccination for a while.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is an opportunity, as you can see, where people are actively going out and getting the vaccine because they recognize the importance of protecting their health and their families.SA国际影视传媒

Lena Drygeese helped make the vaccine roll out easier for some Dettah residents by translating information and procedures into the Wiilideh language.

"I like interpreting for my people. I learn more wording along the way too," said Wiilideh interpreter Lena Drygeese at the vaccination clinic. Blair McBride/NNSL photo
"I like interpreting for my people. I learn more wording along the way too," said Wiilideh interpreter Lena Drygeese at the vaccine clinic. Blair McBride/NNSL photo

Many people already knew a fair bit about the vaccine and Covid-19 through the news media, said Drygeese, who works as a freelance interpreter.

Others just wanted to hear more details in their own language.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne Elder asked how a vaccine was found so fast, because it usually it takes years. A nurse explained and I translated how scientists and countries worked together to get it out really quickly. He said he was amazed.

Drygeese laughed as she recalled that she only got the call to do interpretation services 15 minutes before the clinic opened on Friday morning.

SA国际影视传媒淚 didn't have anything planned for today. It's alright. I like interpreting for my people. I learn more wording along the way too. ISA国际影视传媒檒l do more clinics if they ask me.SA国际影视传媒

Of the 190 doses that the vaccination team brought to Dettah, 46 had been administered by around lunch time, said Diana Ollerhead, the lead nurse with the team.

Lead nurse Diana Ollerhead draws the Moderna vaccine into a syringe for the other nurses to use at the vaccination clinic. Blair McBride/NNSL photo
Lead nurse Diana Ollerhead draws the Moderna vaccine into a syringe for the other nurses to use at the vaccination clinic. Blair McBride/NNSL photo

The doses were brought into the Memorial Complex in a freezer box. Ollerhead took them out to thaw at intervals to ensure enough were ready as people came in. It takes one hour to unthaw the vials at room temperature.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 the only person drawing vaccines into the syringes. I draw them up as we use them to make sure we donSA国际影视传媒檛 have any wasted doses,SA国际影视传媒 she said. The vaccine-filled needles are then passed onto the three nurses working at the clinic.

People could show up for their shots without needing to register in advance.

Now that Sarah Black received her first dose, she's looking forward to when she can get her second dose and then possibly drive to Vancouver to get her car and drive it back here in a few months.

SA国际影视传媒淚 grew up here and moved away and then came back last June. I miss my car,SA国际影视传媒 she said.

Cherie Cadiz, left, gives the Moderna vaccine to Sarah Black in the Memorial Complex gym in Dettah. Blair McBride/NNSL photo
Cherie Cadiz, left, gives the Moderna vaccine to Sarah Black in the Memorial Complex gym in Dettah. Blair McBride/NNSL photo

Black is glad that people in Dettah, particularly Elders are finally getting vaccinated .

SA国际影视传媒淚 still feel a little scared because the vaccine is so new. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e like the test subjects. But ISA国际影视传媒檓 not too worried about it.SA国际影视传媒

Dettah's sister community of Ndilo is scheduled to receive its vaccination clinic on Saturday, making it the 23rd community in the NWT where immunizations have started, according to the .





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