REDDING, Calif. - As the virus continues to take lives and sicken more people, people who live and work at the Veterans Home in Redding got access to their first dose of the Pfizer shot.

Stanford and Joan Smith, a couple of almost 60 years, received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. The one administered to them was Pfizer.

Both of them hope it’s the first step in returning to their pre-pandemic lives.

“Before Covid, we would go out to dinner, we would go to the movies, we would go to Turtle Bay,” said Joan, who lives at the Redding Veterans Home with her husband. “We look forward to that again as soon as we can be clear from Covid.”

The longtime couple has seen and done a lot but never imagined living through a pandemic. Now they hope to see the end to one.

“When it's over with, we'll make up for it,” said Joan, “and we'll hug and hug and hug.”

Visitors are still not permitted inside the Veterans Home. But residents tell Action News Now what they’re looking forward to the most is seeing their family.

Lynn Manning, who also lives in the Veteran’s Home, also received her vaccine.

“[There were] no problems with it, didn't feel a thing,” said Lynn. “It's feeling really good.”

She hopes with the vaccine rolling out, she’ll be able to soon see her family in-person again.

“I miss them and everything,” said Lynn. “I miss being able to hug them but it will be back to normal soon.”

Residents and staff at the Veterans Home are expected to get their second dose sometime next month

The Veteran's Home partnered with the CDC through its Pharmacy Partnership Program to administer vaccines.