South Carolina’s oldest resident received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Greenville mass vaccination site at 1 Kmart Plaza, waving his thumbs up after receiving the vaccine, according to Prisma Health.
Maria aulenbacher, 111, received the vaccine along with his daughter and son-in-law, both over 70 years old.
“I am very happy to have this opportunity to help keep health and everyone around me healthy,” said Aulenbacher in a statement from Prisma. “I can’t wait to hug my great-grandchild again. I hope our family is safe and together. “
Aulenbacher has already lived through the Spanish flu pandemic that has plagued the world.
Originally from Germany, Aulenbacher was the eldest of six children. A decade ago, she moved to the United States to live with her daughter, Birgit Dickerson.
“We feel like we’re doing our part,” said Dickerson. “It was a very easy process and everyone was wonderful. As a family, we all think of our health and first-line professionals during the pandemic; our thoughts are with them. We are very grateful to them for all they have done and for the sacrifices they have made. “
Aulenbacher said that reading non-fiction every day and living an active life is the secret to his longevity. She likes a glass of red wine for lunch and a beer for dinner, according to Prisma.
Aulenbacher’s granddaughter Christina Dickerson said her grandmother understands having good days and bad days at her age. “She didn’t hesitate to get the vaccine.”
Dr Saria Saccocio, Prisma’s medical director for outpatient services and co-chair of the system’s vaccination task force, said Aulenbacher was a “true vaccination hero.”
“This wise woman is setting an example for all of us. I hope everyone will follow their example and roll up their sleeves to get their own vaccines when they are eligible, ”said Saccocio, warning that community immunity will take time. Saccocio warned that people still need to observe social distance, wear face masks and continue to wash their hands frequently.
“Anyone with older, vulnerable relatives knows how scary the past year has been. It’s been awful. And now we finally have a glimpse of light and being able to take steps to return to some kind of normality, ”said Christina Dickerson. “We know that we all need to continue to take smart precautions – in addition to giving them a second dose – but in reality, this just looks like the beginning of a turning point.”
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine at scdhec.gov/covid19/covid-19-vaccine.
To make an appointment for a vaccine with Prisma Health, visit PrismaHealth.org/Vaccine.