Rising Mountains staff, residents receive COVID-19 vaccine

For activities coordinator Wanda Lillejord, rolling up her sleeves to get the COVID-19 vaccine was a no-brainer.

“I didn't ponder. I just said yup, when it’s ready, I’m getting it,” she said. “It felt it a little more than the flu shot, but other than that, no big deal.”

Lillejord was among the staff members and residents at Rising Mountains Assisted Living in Bigfork who elected to get the vaccine for the novel coronavirus last Friday morning. As of Jan. 25, over 77,000 doses have been administered across the state, including 5,314 in Flathead County, according to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services’ vaccine dashboard. To date, 1,272 Flathead County residents have been immunized -- meaning they have received both doses of the vaccine which is necessary for the greatest level of protection against the virus.

The first shot of the vaccine helps the body develop immunity by producing white blood cells known as T and B lymphocytes, which work together to kill foreign invaders. Once created, T and B cells will remember how to kill the coronavirus in the case of future infections. It takes a few weeks for the body to produce these cells and a second shot of the vaccine -- administered three to four weeks later depending on the manufacturer -- helps to strengthen this immune response, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Montana is currently in Phase 1B of Gov. Greg Gianforte’s vaccine distribution plan, which means the vaccine is available for American Indians, people age 70 and older and those with high-risk medical conditions such as diabetes and severe obesity.

But many healthcare workers, like those at Rising Mountains, are still in the process of getting vaccinated. Last Friday, pharmacists prepared dozens of doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for staff and residents. Employees convened in a waiting area adjacent to the dining room and watched through windows and took photos as their colleagues got the shot.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said executive director Suzette Herreid. “We’re all excited that it’s finally here.” For now, the vaccine is optional for staff and will remain voluntary for residents, who have the right to refuse any type of medical treatment, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

In February, Rising Mountains will host a second round of clinics for those who missed the first one or changed their mind about getting the vaccine. Some staff members were ambivalent about the shot while others nervously awaited their turn.

Kathleen Miles, a med tech/certified nursing assistant, felt a little uneasy at Friday’s clinic “only because it came out so fast,” she explained. Miles, who never contracted the virus or had any family members who did, was uncertain about getting the vaccine initially.

“I decided to just do it,” Miles said. “I work a lot with the elderly residents here and I did it for them.”

She’s also altered her lifestyle to reduce the chance that she’d bring the virus into the facility.

“I limit places where I go to just essential things like grocery stores or getting medications,” she said. “Everything else has pretty much been on hold.”

She was all smiles while getting the shot, grinning up at a fellow staff member who snapped pictures on a cellphone of her inoculation.

“It wasn’t bad,” she exclaimed on her way out.

Beverly Caberly, a cook/dietary aide, took a “go with the flow” approach to the vaccine. She was encouraged by her boss to get the shot and said, “I just figured I might as well do it and get it over with.”

Caberly was also hopeful that having the vaccine would mean an end to face masks.

“Hopefully with everybody getting the vaccine, we’ll get rid of these masks because I have trouble breathing with the masks,” she noted.

But no major changes are in store for Rising Mountains just yet.

“Nothing with the first shot, but maybe something will happen with the second vaccination,” Herreid said.

Rising Mountains is looking to the Flathead City-County Health Department and CDC for guidance and any changes will be made in step with their recommendations.

“I know everybody is really itching to get in to see their loved ones, which I totally understand,” she said. “We are trying to figure out a visitation plan for families, for our residents right now.”