The Lakeside Village in Panora hosted its first vaccination clinic for residents and workers Wednesday.

Director Amanda Creen says she was happy to be the first in line for her vaccine.

“If nothing, we want to be an example to our team that it’s the safe thing to do, the right thing to do and we want to keep our residents protected as much as possible.”

The long-term care facility in Panora was the first Guthrie County facility to receive their vaccinations through CVS Pharmacy. Creen says she hopes this is the first step to eliminating COVID-19.

“We are really excited to be leading the charge for the vaccine. We encourage those folks out there when they have their opportunity to get the vaccine to be a part of the solution to ending the pandemic and help protect our older population, healthcare workers and each other.” 

The state is still in phase 1A of the COVID-19 vaccination program. The Iowa Department of Public Health says the next phase, 1B, will start no later than February 1. Phase 1B will focus on Iowans over the age of 75, first responders, school staff and other groups. For a full list of the recommended groups, click here.