Your Choice. Everyone’s Benefit.

Yes, plans for the roll-out at all of our campuses are underway. According to the government program, staff and residents of long-term care facilities are included in the 1^st prioritized group. Both current staff and residents will have access to receive the vaccine through these campus clinics. Please visit our vaccination clinic page and click on your campus to see when the CVS pharmacy is planning to give the vaccine.

Yes, all co-workers, including those in non-direct care positions, are considered healthcare professionals and qualify within this 1^st prioritized group.

Although we are not mandating the COVID-19 vaccine at this time, we know the higher the herd immunity level we create, the safer our communities will be for all who live and work there. We strongly encourage every one of our co-workers to research and understand the benefits of helping to end this pandemic through vaccination.

At those campuses for whom our pharmacy partner scheduled three dates, the dates are staggered based on the required timing in between doses. Our goal is to vaccinate as many individuals in the first clinic and then administer their second dose in the second clinic. The third clinic then serves as a catch-up for any new residents or staff who may have received their first dose at the second clinic.

Since these currently are the only on-campus clinics our pharmacy partner has scheduled to administer the vaccine, we are using them to the fullest capacity.

It is recommended by the Dept. of Health and the vaccine manufacturers to use the same vendor/source for both doses. If you have a special circumstance (you were vaccinated at a former employer’s clinic), please see your supervisor.

Like our staff, we will provide education and answer any questions they (or their families) have. However, we will not mandate the vaccination at this time. We hope both our staff and residents see this as a necessary alternative to the unfortunate number of seniors impacted during this pandemic. Their vaccination also will hasten the return to normalcy with family visits and socialization.

The vaccine is free to everyone. There is an administrative cost (about $50 for both doses), but if you do not have insurance, you just state that, and the pharmacy charges this cost to the federalCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. There will be no cost for the vaccination to the recipient.

The U.S. government is covering the cost of the vaccine, but CVS will charge an administration fee for time and services of their staff providing the clinic. This will be charged to your health insurance. Country Meadows and Ecumenical Retirement Community will cover any expenses associated with our beneficiaries.

We are so glad to hear that—thank you for doing your part to help protect yourself, your fellow team members and residents. We need you to participate in these upcoming clinics. Your campus team will contact you directly to complete a consent form issued from CVS prior to the clinics so they know exactly how many doses to bring. (NOTE: the Nursing Center has begun distributing the CVS consent form to residents and staff for the upcoming January 4 clinic.)

The CDC recommends waiting 14 days after recovery from COVID before receiving the vaccine. This would be at least 28 days from the onset of symptoms.

It is important to know the sources of information you read, especially on social media. Several falsely-claiming social media posts stated there is “a link between the spike protein formed by receiving the mRNA-based (COVID-19) vaccines and blockage of a protein necessary for formation of and adherence to the uterus of the human placenta.” They are NOT the same protein. At ALL. Read more fact-based information.

Another great resource for your consideration of being vaccinated is the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Immunization, Infectious Disease, and Public Health Preparedness Expert Work Group.

As for male infertility, experts are more concerned about the impacts of the virus itself rather than the vaccine. Researchers have found the virus, not the vaccine, can affect sperm quality, potentially contributing to infertility problems in some individuals.

And of course, always consult your doctor with any questions about your health.

Immunizing pregnant and lactating women is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. If you have questions or concerns, we recommend you consult with your primary care physician or OB/GYN for the best guidance.

Because the Black community has been one of the most affected by this horrible virus, it is even more critical you be vaccinated to offer protection. Several Black organizations have offered resources for more information and facts to help individuals consider vaccination:

• The Black Coalition Against COVID
• COVID-19 Vaccine And The Black Community: A Tyler Perry Special documentary
• What the Black Community Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccines From Black Experts

We advise everyone to discuss the vaccine with their primary care physician if they are unsure of their individual risks.

It is recommended to not get these two vaccines, or any vaccines, close together to assure the best immune response. You should space these vaccines at least two-three weeks apart. We will suspend flu shot administration as of January 1 in anticipation of our COVID vaccine clinics.

Although you should wait until the active illness is over, studies have shown antibodies developed by the confirmed virus only last for 90 days. The vaccine is likely to last longer.

Yes. CVS is required to have epi-pens on site for all clinics. If you have an adverse immune response, it would occur within one hour of vaccination.