January 4, 2021

The US Food and Drug Administration has recently approved two COVID vaccines for use. Over the next few weeks, vaccines will be distributed to residents and staff at all Avalon care facilities. Vaccinations will be offered to residents and staff free of charge. 

We are working with our pharmacy partners in conjunction with federal, state, and local Health Departments to distribute and administer the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccines currently require two separate doses given three or four weeks apart. The vaccines are designed to help the body create antibodies to fight off the virus. We are providing staff, residents, and resident representatives with information related to the vaccine, including information regarding potential side effects. While not required, we are strongly encouraging all residents and staff. Please contact your facility for more information about the facility’s vaccination schedule. 

Following vaccination, staff will continue to wear PPE, as directed, while at work. PPE use will be based on recommendations from CDC. 

We remain committed to the safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff. We are confident that the worldwide, unprecedented scientific achievement of these COVID-19 vaccines will eventually enable us to enjoy life with our loved ones again. As we have been saying over the course of this difficult year, we are all in this together. We look forward to doing our part in this effort by getting the COVID-19 vaccine and hope you will join us. 

This is our shot!

 

Sabine von Preyss-Friedman, MD, FACP, CMD

Chief Medical Officer and Sr. Vice President

 

For more information from the CDC on the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/