MINNEAPOLIS – As part of a federal partnership with Operation Warp Speed, Grand Living residents and staff will be among the first group to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
On Friday, Dec. 11, the FDA granted emergency approval to Pfizer for use of the COVID-19 vaccine. Based on Centers for Disease Control Immunization Advisory Committee recommendations, both residents and staff of senior living communities receive first priority. Grand Living’s partnership with Operation Warp Speed allows enough vaccines for residents and staff at each of our six communities, located in South Dakota, Florida and Iowa. The vaccine is offered at no cost to residents or staff.
Grand Living selected Walgreens Pharmacy to assist with distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. There are detailed processes in place to administer the immunizations, which will be available at three on-site vaccination clinics determined by Walgreens area coordinators. It is a two-dose vaccination process, with the second dose administered 21-28 days after the first vaccination is administered. Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has a 95% efficacy rate.
“In the 1960s, Polio was one of the most feared diseases in the U.S. However, with the development of the Polio vaccine, we have established herd immunity almost worldwide, and we rarely see cases of Polio today,” said Kelley Hamm, National Vice President of Clinical Services at Grand Living. “As a nation, we had to take a leap of faith in science back then, and we need to do the same today.”
Since the onset of COVID-19, Grand Living has worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of residents and staff, evaluating guidelines daily in order to keep the spread of the virus to a minimum.
“We appreciate the dedication and care shown by the staff at each community, as well as the patience, understanding and grace displayed by our residents and their families,” said Dan Peterka, Grand Living President and CEO.
“We know this has been a monumental year and a truly trying time for everyone, so we thank each and every person within our communities for their efforts to get to this point,” added Melinda Seifert, Chief Operating Officer at Grand Living. “We are privileged and delighted to offer this revolutionary vaccine to each of our residents and staff members.”
