COVID-19 vaccine coming to Hamilton's homeless shelters is 'a sign we're moving forward'
Workers in city's shelter system hope vaccine will help end the pandemic sooner
Two weeks ago, COVID-19 found its way into the Wesley Urban Ministries Day Centre. But on Tuesday, so did one of the strongest tools to stop it — the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Public health workers were at the centre, the site of an active outbreak with three confirmed cases, vaccinating staff and clients.
Lonny Nichols, 55, was one of the first to get vaccinated at the centre on Catharine Street North.
Nichols said his housing struggles came after losing his job in sales when the pandemic began nearly a year ago. He's also been struggling with mental illness his whole life, he said.
"It has been worse during the pandemic."
But Tuesday was a step forward.
"It's going to help me in what I do when I'm out ... it's a sign we're moving forward for sure," Nichols said.
Outbreaks hit Hamilton's shelters
The city moved to start vaccinating people within the shelter system after seeing outbreaks at the Salvation Army, YWCA Carole Anne's Place, and several Mission Services and Good Shepherd locations.
Monica Petraukas, supervisor of the Wesley Urban Ministries Day Centre, said the shelters all followed infection, prevention and control measures as closely as they could, but the virus still found a way in.
The cold weather and more people seeking shelter services, Petraukas said, may have been a factor.
But she also said she thinks the vaccines will help.
"I'm glad it's being done now and not in two months," Petraukas said.
"I was really pleased to hear they were going to start ramping up and getting at it right away."
She said it's been hectic but exciting to set up the first day of vaccinations in the day centre.
WATCH: Hamilton front-line, health-care worker gets COVID-19 vaccine
Each vial had six doses of vaccine. Petraukas said peer support workers were present to calm anyone feeling nervous about getting vaccinated, or anyone with a fear of needles.
Wesley workers Mike Forester, 37, and Cherry Tamson, 41, were both nervous at first, but said getting vaccinated was the right decision.
"If I get COVID, I won't be able to stick with my daughter ... I'd rather take the vaccine now," said Tamson, who gave a thumbs up while getting vaccinated.
And Forester hopes this is the beginning of the end of the pandemic.
"I hope we get back to normal soon," he said.