Genesis HealthCare System anticipates receiving its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine, totaling 975 doses, on Tuesday, Dec. 15. The Genesis team has been formulating a distribution plan since the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) announced Genesis as one of 10 sites in Ohio selected to distribute the vaccine.
“This is an exciting step toward eradicating this pandemic with the receipt of our first shipment of the vaccine,” said Matt Perry, president and CEO, Genesis HealthCare System. “We know that vaccinating as many people as possible will help us achieve this goal. I urge the community to continue to wear a face mask, social distance and wash hands often because this fight is far from over.”
Genesis is adhering to the National Academy of Medicine and ODH guidelines for COVID-19 vaccine allocation that includes four phases. Phase 1 is divided into two sub-phases: 1a and 1b. Phase 1a prioritizes high-risk health workers and first responders to receive the vaccine first. Genesis is implementing Phase 1a by first giving vaccine to physicians and staff who provide direct patient care to COVID-19 patients. The plan outlines specific groups at Genesis who fall into this category, such as Emergency Department providers and staff; Critical Care Unit physicians and staff, respiratory therapists and staff who work on units with COVID-19 patients.
Phase 1b prioritizes people of all ages with comorbid and underlying health conditions that put them at a significantly higher risk and older adults living in congregate or overcrowded settings to receive the vaccine. This will be the next group targeted when Phase 1a is complete.
Plans for the other phases of the vaccine distribution are also being developed and will be shared later. For more information about COVID-19, visit genesishcs.org/covid-19/.
submitted