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'It's on the world's radar' | Nursing homes in Hampton Roads prepare for COVID vaccine distribution

Who could first receive the vaccine, and how?

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Coronavirus vaccines are on their way to the Commonwealth, with Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announcing initial distribution plans Wednesday afternoon.

Health care workers and long-term care facilities, two communities hit particularly hard during the pandemic, are prioritized as the first groups to receive the vaccine. 

RELATED: Northam: Health care workers, nursing home residents to get COVID-19 vaccines first

"This is something we've been talking about for several months," Dr. Robert Walters said, Vice President of Clinical Affairs for Virginia Health Services said. 

VHS, a Hampton Roads-based long-term care facility company, oversees several nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Newport News, Hampton, and surrounding communities. 

According to Dr. Walters, VHS is coordinating with both the Virginia Department of Health as well as pharmacies to distribute the vaccine within its system of facilities. 

“Pharmacy partners will be responsible for storage, delivery to facility, a bulk of clinic operations, administering it, and keeping records," he said. 

Approximately 70,000 doses are set to be distributed across the state at first. 

Dr. Walters said there are still details being worked out regarding the logistics behind administering the vaccine but he did shed light on information about other preparations already being done:

  • Dr. Walters believes nursing homes will receive priority over assisted living facilities. 
  • Residents will need to consent to the vaccine
  • Dr. Walters believes the vaccine will be available to an entire facility's staff and residents at the same time
  • VHS purchased additional freezers to maintain the cold temperatures required for vaccine storage
  • It remains unclear whether further prioritization of the vaccine will be given to residents who have or have not previously contracted COVID-19.
  • Coronavirus vaccines will be administered in two doses, several weeks apart, with the aid of pharmacy partners 
  • Immunity isn't expected until approximately a week after the vaccine's second dose

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