A EUA is based on the need to use a vaccine quickly during an urgent health crisis or pandemic. While the process for approval is shorter, no steps are skipped in the safety evaluation process. Vaccines approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have undergone the same level of rigorous testing for safety and efficacy as other vaccines and have been tested in tens of thousands of people, including older adults. Two independent advisory committees of experts from academic institutions also monitor vaccines to ensure their safety.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has made recommendations regarding those who should receive priority for the vaccines. Based on these recommendations, many states, including Pennsylvania, prioritize long-term care residents and healthcare workers. They are included in the priority level group “1a” which is the first group to be eligible to receive the vaccine.

Several months ago, White Horse Village enrolled in this plan. At that time, the intent was for long-term care facilities and healthcare workers to be vaccinated through a government-contracted pharmacy to provide on-site vaccines/clinics. Over the past week, White Horse Village has received confirmation from both Walgreens and CVS that at least one of the two pharmacies would be providing our vaccine clinics. At this time, we have not received tentative dates for the clinics but will apprise residents, families, and team members once the clinics are scheduled.

Long-term care facilities are eligible for participation—this includes nursing homes, assisted living, and personal care homes. Therefore, all residents in Canterbury Skilled Nursing, Bridlewood Personal Care, and Four Seasons Memory Support will be eligible.

Just this week, however, Pennsylvania decided that only residents in skilled nursing facilities will be in the “1a” priority group due to not having enough vaccine doses for all residents living in long-term care facilities. Therefore, our residents living in Bridlewood and Four Seasons will be in group “1b”, the second-highest priority group. Team members in the healthcare center are also included as a priority group to receive the vaccine in the Pharmacy Partnership Plan. 

Residential living residents are not included in the “1a” priority group. We are waiting on information to confirm that Residential residents will be in group the “1b” priority group.

The pharmacy partner will obtain insurance information from each resident and team member, if applicable.
However, if a resident or team member’s insurance does not cover the vaccine’s full cost, the pharmacy will NOT bill any individuals. Those receiving the vaccine through the Pharmacy Partnership Program cannot be billed directly.

Each state will determine which vaccine or vaccines are allocated to the Pharmacy Partnership Program in their respective state.

For each vaccine approved, the CDC will develop an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) informational sheet. The sheet will be provided to each person who is vaccinated.  

At this time, team members and residents will continue to be tested, as testing requirements have not changed. 

Each vaccine comes with a card, which must be provided to the person vaccinated or their proxy. 

No, under and EUA, the federal government cannot mandate that individuals get the vaccine. Residents or their representatives have a right to refuse the vaccine.

Yes. The vaccine will be offered regardless of prior history of having symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19.

Signs and symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, headache, chills, myalgia, and arthralgia, can typically occur following COVID-19 vaccination, usually within the first three days of vaccination.
The presence of signs and symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection is not typical for post-vaccination signs and symptoms, i.e., cough, shortness of breath, rhinorrhea, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, should not be attributed to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Anyone feeling sick has a fever or is exhibiting any respiratory symptoms, and any person diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last two weeks.

The pharmacy(s) will work closely with the healthcare leadership team to organize the clinics. There will be three clinics scheduled, approximately 21 to 28 days apart, as most of the vaccines require two doses with at least 21 to 28 days in between.

A vaccine administration record (VAR) will need to be completed for all residents and team members who intend to receive the vaccine. This form includes a consent section that will need to be completed to administer the vaccine. The VAR must be completed each time the vaccine is administered, so two VARs will be needed to receive both injections.