LYNN — Since the COVID-19 pandemic began last March, one of the hardest-hit areas for contracting the disease has been nursing homes. Now that there’s a vaccine, the Life Care Center for the North Shore on Birch Street has begun the process of vaccinating its residents and associates.
Since Wednesday, representatives from CVS Pharmacy have been on the premises inoculating patients and staff with the Pfizer vaccine that has been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Life Care Center of the North Shore is one of 15 Life Care Centers of America facilities in Massachusetts.
“I think everyone in the skilled nursing industry is thankful that a vaccine is available and being administered, and we are thrilled that vaccinations are underway at our facility,” said Carla Ciaramella, executive director of Life Care Center of the North Shore. “It’s an understatement to say this has been a difficult year, but the vaccine offers hope as we move forward.”
The current FDA-authorized vaccines require two doses, and it is imperative that both doses are administered in accordance with timelines provided by the manufacturer, in this case Pfizer. The vaccine is free to residents and associates, but the decision to take the vaccine will be an individual one, Ciaramella said.
“We are encouraging all residents and associates to take advantage of the FDA-authorized vaccines, but we are not requiring it,” said Ciaramella. “We believe it is vital that each individual resident and/or their legal representative make informed decisions about the healthcare the resident receives, and we encourage them to consult with their primary physician for guidance.”
Ciaramella said that the availability of a vaccine is not the end of the fight against COVID-19, which has attacked the most vulnerable members of society across the country for the past 10 months. She said Life Care facilities will maintain stringent safety measures and will continue to follow all guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and state and local public health agencies.
“Our associates at Life Care will enter the new year as diligent as ever to protect our residents and associates,” said Ciaramella. “The safety measures we have put in place, combined with the vaccine, will allow our facilities to continue to provide a high level of service in a safe environment that provides peace of mind to our residents and their families.”
Founded in 1976, Life Care’s headquarters are in Cleveland, Tenn. Life Care manages more than 200 nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 28 states. For more information about Life Care, visit lcca.com.
Steve Krause can be reached at [email protected].
