Bixby Nursing Home Gives COVID-19 Vaccine To Residents

A Bixby nursing home gave out the vaccine Wednesday, and the facility decided to make the event into a celebration.

Sand Plum Nursing home in Bixby is one of the first Tulsa County nursing homes to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Balloons and the smell of popcorn filled the lobby of Sand Plum Assisted Living Wednesday to celebrate the arrival of life-saving shots.

"I'm glad I got it," said resident Joyce Schroder.  

Schroder just moved into Sand Plum Assisted Living Monday and was one of the first residents to get her Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.  She said the toughest part about this pandemic for her is the loneliness.

"Not being able to with my family and friends like normal, not able to touch them, or be around them," said Schroder.  

Lyndsey Reyes works at Sand Plum and said their residents have not been able to see their loved ones in more than 10 months. She said Wednesday’s event is a step closer to normalcy.

 "It's been hard. Depression hits hard whenever older people must isolate. They're unable to leave, unable to go and do whatever they want," said Reyes.

Reyes said some of their residents have caught the virus. Despite that, Reyes said some residents have mixed feelings about being vaccinated. 

"Some people they were a little sketched out about the side effects that were happening,” Reyes said. 

Reyes said the Sand Plum staff wanted to persuade residents to get the vaccine by giving them stickers, lollipops, balloons and treats. And it worked because all their residents ended up getting the vaccine.

 Schroder said she's glad she got her shot and urges others to do the same. 

"I feel better thinking that this is the beginning of the end hopefully," Schroder added. 

More than 80 residents and staff got the vaccine Wednesday. The Tulsa Health Department will be giving the second round of vaccines in early February.