Park Ridge, NJ (December 28th, 2020) – Yesterday, the first Spring Hills residents and associates received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The teams recieved official confirmation from our preferred partner, CVS, on Christmas Eve, and spent countless hours over the holiday weekend preparing for this momentous day. After undergoing temperature screenings and COVID-19 rapid test upon entry, the vaccination team from CVS settled in and began vaccinating residents and associates.
The first resident to be vaccinated was Teresa Deviak. She says the vaccine, “gives her hope for the future” and urges others to receive the vaccine. Of the 75 residents at Spring Hills Post Acute Park Ridge, 54 received the vaccine along with 32 associates. Even though the vaccine is not mandatory, we are proud that so many residents and associates stepped up to receive the vaccine. Joining in on the day was Founder and President/CEO of Spring Hills, Alex Markowits. He explains that he felt fortunate to be among them and receive his vaccine. “It is difficult to express the gratitude I feel for the healthcare heroes who have spent the last year devoted to caring for and protecting our residents during this most harrowing time”, says Alex. “I look forward to celebrating with our staff, residents, clients and patients across Spring Hills communities in the coming days and weeks as they, too, receive the first round of vaccinations and feel the comfort and relief of this historic moment.”
From the top down, there is an insurmountable amount of hope and excitement for the year ahead. As Kathy Madden, Administrator at Spring Hills Post Acute Park Ridge, puts it “we finally are able to see the light at the end of the tunnel after such darkness has plagued us for the past nine months. I have so much hope for the future.”
Along with Park Ridge, our Post Acute Care center in Wayne View received the vaccine yesterday. Princeton, Wayne received their vaccinations today and will be followed by Princeton and Livingston tomorrow. CVS will be on-site at 85 of the 358 NJ nursing homes this week with a total of 277 anticipated over the next 6 weeks. We are so excited that in just three more weeks the second dose will be distributed, and we will be on our way to a brighter future to ensure that we can all Live Happy.
Getting Vaccinated
Getting vaccinated is one of many steps you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Protection from COVID-19 is critically important because for some people, it can cause severe illness or death.
Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, like masks and social distancing, help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. Together, the COVID-19 vaccination and following CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19.
Pfizer-Biontech COVID-19 Vaccine Facts For Recipient and Caregivers
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE?
In an ongoing clinical trial, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has been shown to prevent COVID-19 following 2 doses given 3 weeks apart. The duration of protection against COVID-19 is currently unknown.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF THE PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE?
Side effects that have been reported with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine include:
There is a remote chance that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:
These may not be all the possible side effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is still being studied in clinical trials.
WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS?
If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1, or go to the nearest hospital.
Call the vaccination provider or your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
Report vaccine side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1-800-822-7967 or report online to https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please include “Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine EUA” in the first line of box #18 of the report form.