The oldest man in Canada received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine this week.
JaHyung Lee, who celebrated his 110th birthday in September of last year, was administered the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Metro Vancouver's Amenida Seniors Community on Thursday, Jan. 14, the assisted living facility shared in a news release Friday.
Photos of the Korean-born supercentenarian receiving his shot at the Surrey care home where he resides were posted to the facility's Facebook page. Afterwards, Lee posed with a sign that reads, "I had my vaccine at 110 years old. Get yours!"
According to the facility, all residents who gave their consent—or had consent provided on their behalf by a family member or decision-maker—were able to receive their first dose of the vaccine on the same day as Lee.
"We are extremely lucky that we have received enough supplies to vaccinate all of our residents in care," said Rosa Park, Amenida Seniors Community's general manager, in the release. "As many of our seniors are elderly and require complex care, we can feel safer knowing that the virus won't be spreading within our community."
Residents are reportedly set to receive their second doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks.
As both the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent vaccination effort remain ongoing, staff and residents at the assisted living facility say they are continuing to practice all the necessary health and safety protocols.
"While the majority of group activities have been cancelled, certain activities have been modified to meet new regulations and increase morale at the seniors' care home," reads the release. For example, religious services and exercise programs are now offered through streaming services.
