This is the first step toward getting back to normal and getting this pandemic behind us.”

Rob Leinbach, principal at Cadence, the parent company of Acoya Mesa

A total of 65 Acoya Mesa residents and 28 team members have received the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

The 170-unit senior living community is on 7 acres at 6502 E. Brown Road, across from Granite Reef Park in Mesa, according to a release.

Acoya Mesa  recipients of the vaccine included 100-year-old resident Hershel Haught, who was born on Jan. 4, 1921.

Mr. Haught was born and raised in the farming community of Crawford County, Illinois, where his family ran a small-scale farm. He served for four years in the U.S. Army as a meat inspector, which was also his occupation.

He moved into Acoya Mesa shortly after the new senior living community opened in 2019. He has two daughters, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, the release states.

Although challenging, the pandemic has not depleted Mr. Haught of his great sense of humor.

“I want to protect myself and others and keep myself out of trouble,” Mr. Haught said when asked why he chose to get the vaccine. He expressed excitement for “getting back out and living life again,” when asked what he hopes it means.

The vaccines were administered by representatives from Walgreens Pharmacy, who are scheduled to administer the second round of the vaccine on Feb. 15. After each person was vaccinated, they waited in a nearby room for 15 minutes for observation by a registered nurse, the release states.

“This is the first step toward getting back to normal and getting this pandemic behind us,” Rob Leinbach, principal at Cadence, the parent company of Acoya Mesa, said in the release. “We are grateful for our tremendous team at Acoya Mesa for their tireless efforts to protect our residents.”

The 183,000 square-foot community of Acoya Mesa offers residents independent living, assisted living and memory care apartment options. It has studio, one- and two-bedroom residences with full kitchens, washers and dryers, walk-in showers and a 24-hour emergency line. Upscale amenities include all-day restaurant style dining, an arts and crafts talent room, raised garden beds, movie theater, salon, game room, special event hall, fitness room as well as a schedule of entertainment, fitness classes, book clubs and seminars, the release states.

For more information, go to cadencesl.com.