Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Sylvia Ortiz gets her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from Nicole Niemi, public health nurse with the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, at Heritage Manor Monday.

HOUGHTON — “I’ve had mosquito bites worse than that.”

The words from one resident at Heritage Manor appeared to be shared by many of those who received their first shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine there Monday from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department. Sign-ups were open to those 65 and over. Thirty people had signed up for vaccines at Heritage Manor, said Sherry Hughes, executive director of the Houghton Housing Commission.

“It’s just so nice, because people here have been so worried,” she said. “A lot of people here haven’t seen their family, grandkids, any of that. They’re going to get the chance to see them two weeks after the next shot.”

Of the approximately 45 residents, some had already received the vaccine, she said.

Nurses also vaccinated residents at the Douglass House Apartments earlier in the day.

After getting their shot, residents spent 15 minutes in an observation room.

Heritage Manor has had one resident test positive so far, coming shortly before Christmas, Hughes said. Just as the facility was preparing to open things back up, the indoor dining ban went into effect.

Normally, a group of 10 to 15 residents will meet downstairs in the morning to discuss local issues over coffee and food. During the state pause, crowds were limited to 10, with no refreshments. Those restrictions were lifted Monday.

“So it’s been a good day overall,” Hughes said.

With residents less able to visit or go out during the pandemic, staff have let residents know they’ll run errands for them if necessary. In addition to their check-ins and phone calls, the neighbors are also keeping in touch.

“Once a month, we were making phone calls just to make sure everybody was OK,” Hughes said. “But I’m hoping the worst is now over.”

Those interviewed Monday said they felt more at ease after getting the shot.

“It takes half of it off your mind, anyway,” said Lawrence Beauchamp. “You feel a little safer than when you came in. I know it takes 28 days or whatever to take effect, but it is reassuring. I’ll just wait for the next dose in 28 days and take it from there.”