January 19, 2025
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Illinois Veterans Home at La Salle residents receive COVID-19 vaccine

Superintendent: ‘This is an amazing step forward’

By Michael Urbanec

The Illinois Veterans Home at La Salle, where residents received COVID-19 vaccines Tuesday. (Scott Anderson)

The residents of the Illinois Veterans Home at La Salle received the COVID-19 vaccination Tuesday, and staff at the Veterans Home will be vaccinated Wednesday.

There have been no new cases of COVID-19 since the facility’s last update.

“This is an amazing step forward in protecting those residents and staff at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Nursing Homes,” Superintendent Steven Kreitzer said. “We are still working to find out what caused the over 90% infection rate and the now-35 veterans that lost their lives at the La Salle Veterans Home due to COVID-19.”

The veterans home has had 108 total cases of COVID-19 among its residents since the start of the pandemic, with 105 among employees.

A nurse and a resident wave out the window from the La Salle Veterans Home on Wednesday as a parade of La Salle police, fire and EMS vehicles pass by. (Scott Anderson)

The veterans home said its top priority remains the health and safety of military veterans and the staff who care for them. They are continuing to follow the recommendations from local health officials, the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Illinois Department of Public Health to safeguard everyone at the facility.

“We are grateful to our team for remaining highly vigilant for signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and for being ready to respond swiftly, appropriately, and professionally to any potential cases,” according to a Tuesday news release. “We understand this news can be distressing, and we encourage you to contact your loved ones for mutual support of one another.

“Activities and social services staff continue to develop leisure activities, in accordance with social distancing practices, to care for the psychosocial wellbeing of our veterans.”