COVID-19- What we know, and why we’re Saying Yes!
An Important Update: The COVID-19 Vaccine and Silverpoint
On December 7, 2020, SilverPoint Senior Living enrolled in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long Term Care Program in anticipation of the approval and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Enrollment in this program ensured that we are on the long-term care provider priority list to receive the vaccine.
As of January 1, 2020, the FDA has issued emergency use authorization for two different vaccines: the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine on December 11, 2020 and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine on December 18, 2020. Several other vaccines are also in development.
The state is responsible for selecting a vaccine to be used in long-term care facilities according to the program.
The differences between the two available vaccines are slight and mostly involve differences in storage and administration.
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine must be shipped and stored at -94 degrees Fahrenheit and used within five days of thawing. It is for persons aged 16 or older, is administered in two doses of 30 micrograms given 21 days apart, and has a prevention efficacy of 95%
The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine must be shipped at -4 degrees Fahrenheit and, after thawing, can be stored at fridge temperature for 30 days and room temperature for 12 hours. It is for persons aged 18 or older, is administered in two doses of 100 micrograms given 28 days apart, and has a prevention efficacy of 94.1%.
Both vaccines are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, a new type of vaccine that does not involve a weakened or inactivated form of the virus. Instead, the mRNA “instructs” immune cells to create a protein that then triggers the immune response and subsequent production of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies that protect the vaccination recipient from contracting COVID-19. Because this type of vaccine does not contain any form of the virus itself, there is no way for either available vaccine to give a recipient COVID-19.
Both vaccines are also administered via an injection in the upper arm muscle and have the potential for similar side effects. These side effects are generally mild, resemble flu-like symptoms, and include pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site as well as fever, chills, fatigue, and headache. However, it is important to note that these side effects are your body’s natural immune response to the vaccination and indicate that it is actually working. Severe allergic reactions have occurred but are extremely rare.
Both The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) - an independent panel of medical and public health experts - agree that the lifesaving benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination in long-term care facility residents greatly outweigh the small risk of possible side effects and are therefore safe for administration to the residents. Long-term care workers and residents are at a much higher risk for infection and death by COVID-19, with approximately 569,000-616,000 cases and 91,500 deaths reported among that population as of November 6. That accounts for 39% of deaths nationwide.
That’s why we at SilverPoint are “Saying Yes” to the COVID-19 vaccination. Once available, SilverPoint Senior Living residents and team members will be eligible to receive the vaccine. We have partnered with CVS Health/Omnicare to assist in administering the vaccine. The following are important notes about the administration of the COVID-19 vaccines in SilverPoint communities:
The vaccine is voluntary and is provided free of charge for all SilverPoint community residents and team members
The vaccine requires two doses approximately 20 days apart (depending on the vaccine) to be effective.
At least 3 vaccine clinics will be held at each SilverPoint community to ensure all residents and team members have the opportunity to receive both doses of the vaccine.
At this time, no family members or other loved ones of SilverPoint residents or team members can be accommodated at these clinics.
We expect Our COVID-19 vaccination clinics to begin soon. Currently, we have three confirmed scheduled at our CedarCrest Lewisville community, Cedar Crest Irving, and have received pending date from CVS/Omnicare for our other communities. Once we have more specific information - such as other scheduled clinic dates - we will notify all SilverPoint residents, loved ones, and team members.
We encourage you to help us spread the word and join us in the “I said yes (to/for)” campaign!
You can download and print your sign by clicking the image below! Write down your “I said Yes”, snap a picture & post to your communities Facebook page with the #isaidyes
We said Yes to protecting you, your loved ones and our teams.
We also said yes to one day seeing you all in our communities again.
We said yes to make COVID-19, history.
The dynamic process of the vaccine rollout means we are getting new information moment by moment. We are communicating this information as efficiently as possible. We send the most accurate information out to the families via email or phone. Then, we post to the community’s Facebook page.
Please note: it is imperative when we get the clinic dates that we get a verbal consent to vaccinate from the POA’s for our residents in a timely manner. Like us on Facebook to stay connected, stay engaged and see the most current information regarding your community's COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Status.
As always, we will continue to follow all CDC recommendations and standards set forth by local and state regulatory agehncies and keep you apprised of any changes or updates as they occur.
For more information and resources on the vaccine, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/ or https://www.cvs.com/content/coronavirus.
