Good Samaritan employees, residents receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Although one year ago most of us had never heard of COVID-19 or the Coronavirus, the virus has ravaged the world, the United States and, more specifically, Iowa for over nine months. Since March 2020 more than three million Americans have died from the virus in the United States. In Iowa, 285,000 have tested positive and 3,946 Iowans have died from the virus.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Within the last three weeks vaccines have been approved and rolled out by both the Pfizer and Moderna companies. As of January 1, 2021, 532,191 Iowans have been vaccinated. 

Last Wednesday, December 30, several employees (critical care workers) and residents at the Good Samaritan Society, Postville were the among the first to receive the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Residents at Grand Meadows Glen will also be receiving the vaccine this month.

Employees who received the vaccine were excited to begin to see the ‘light at the end of the tunnel.’

Activities direct, Peggy Hangartner said, “ I was excited to get the vaccine, yet, because of underlying health conditions, I did a lot of reading and praying before making my final decision. I see it as a new start, a new beginning. We had a resident who was so happy and excited to get it as well. I want to be able to open our center back up and have some sort of normalcy for our residents and their families.”

Employee Susie Lenth added, “I was excited that the vaccine is finally here. I thought about the possible risks, but compared to the risks of getting sick with COVID-19, I felt it was well worth it. I also have bad allergies, so I had to think about that too, but I’m fine one day after the shot.”

Those who received the first dose last week are expected to get their second shot in three weeks.