Update from Administrator – January 13, 2021
January 13, 2021
Dear Families,
As always, we hope this letter finds you safe and healthy as we begin the New Year!
The COVID-19 vaccination was administered at our center to staff and residents on 12/30/2020. The second dose of the vaccine is scheduled to be administered on 1/20/2021 to residents and staff. This date is also available to those individuals who did not receive their initial dose. A third date is 2/10/2021, for those who received the first dose on 1/20/2021.
The vaccine is delivered and administered by pharmacists from CVS. The same set-up and procedures will take place during the second and third round.
We encourage as many residents as possible to get this vaccine. As we have learned, the elderly and those with significant health concerns have a much higher risk for getting very sick, being hospitalized, or succumbing from COVID-19. The vaccine has been shown to provide a great deal of protection against serious illness due to COVID-19. The more residents that get vaccinated, the better we can protect our community against potential outbreaks and save lives.
This vaccine has gone through testing and clinical trials to ensure it meets the highest safety standards. It also is safe to get if you already had the virus. The health and safety of our residents is always our top priority, and we are confident this vaccine is a much better option than the risk of getting this virus.
We will continue to take all necessary precautions after the vaccine is administered, including wearing personal protective equipment and conducting regular testing, to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We will also continue to follow the guidance and recommendations of our public health officials to determine how and when to adjust our policies for visitations and social activities and keep you updated.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We are hopeful that the vaccine will be a lifesaving turning point in the fight against COVID-19. We look forward to getting back to a “new normal,” with families and friends again visiting our center on a regular basis. Entertainers coming back into the center to further enrich the lives of our residents.
You may visit several websites listed below to learn more about the vaccine.
AMDA: FAQs about the COVID-19 Vaccine for PALTC Staff, Patients, Residents and Family Members http://paltc.org/sites/default/files/QA%20about%20the%20COVID-19%20Vaccine%20for%20PALTC%20Patients%20Family%20Member%20and%20Staff%20_%2012_1_20%20FINAL.pdf
CDC: About COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/about-vaccines.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/covid-conversations/answering-questions.html
CDC: Understanding the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program and Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/long-term-care/pharmacy-partnerships.html
Our next “Town Hall” call is Thursday 1/14/2021 at 3:00pm.
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!
Sincerely,
Sobha Lamontagne,MHA,LNHA