MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR CARE ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES "ARMING OURSELVES AGAINST COVID-19" CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE COVID-19 VACCINATION
CAMPAIGN TO FOCUS ON SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF COVID-19 VACCINES
The Massachusetts Senior Care Association, representing more than 350 nursing facilities and long term care facilities across the Commonwealth launched a campaign this week to encourage long term care residents and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 virus as soon as possible.
Called "Arming Ourselves Against COVID-19" the campaign seeks to educate those who work and live in long term care facilities about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the FDA for emergency use.
Through educational materials including posters, frequently asked questions, and template letters, the campaign’s goal is to ensure caregivers and residents in long term care facilities have the facts and are aware the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to them soon.
“The Massachusetts Senior Care Association together with our residents, their families and caregivers are extremely grateful to state and federal public health officials for continuing to prioritize the protection of residents and staff in nursing homes, assisted living, and rest home residents, by ensuring they are in the first cohort of COVID-19 vaccine recipients. It is important to educate our frontline staff, residents and their families on the efficacy and safety of the vaccine to further protect our vulnerable residents and their dedicated caregivers,” said Tara Gregorio, the President of Massachusetts Senior Care Association. “It is our hope that the tools we are providing will give people the confidence they need to get vaccinated. Until we reach widespread immunization it is critical that we all remain vigilant by wearing face masks, maintaining social distance, practicing good hand hygiene and adopting other necessary strategies to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 into our long term care facilities.”
The federal government has created the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program — a national vaccine distribution program to offer on-site COVID-19 vaccination services for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Health and Human Services is partnering with CVS and Walgreens to distribute and administer vaccines to long term care facilities.
Arming Ourselves Against COVID-19 informational materials have been shared with Mass Senior Care members to raise awareness among caregivers and family members of long term care residents. By encouraging their loved ones to get vaccinated, family members can play an important role in the effort to eradicate the virus from long term care settings.