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Community Vaccine Update

As a community, Lakewood has been challenged for more than nine months as COVID-19 has spread across our nation, our state, and our region. Lakewood team members, residents and families have remained optimistic and believe we will come through these times stronger than ever. We have stood on our faith and our determination to beat the ongoing threat this virus has presented in our daily life. Today is a day to share more optimistic information regarding the vaccine and the proposed distribution plan for our residents and team members.

The COVID-19 vaccine is close to being released, and we have been busy preparing. In October, each LifeSpire community registered to participate in the “Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care” program. This is a federal program which includes the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) partnering with CVS and Walgreens to offer onsite COVID-19 vaccination services for all residents and team members of senior living communities. This program provides end-to-end management of the COVID-19 vaccination process, including cold chain storage management with on-site vaccinations and fulfillment of reporting requirements, to ensure safe vaccination of all residents and team members.

Walgreens will be serving as Lakewood’s vaccine partner, and in conjunction with our clinical leadership team, will manage the vaccination process and provide specially trained individuals to administer the vaccines.

Virginia is now preparing to receive an estimated total of 480,000 doses of vaccine from two manufacturers (Pfizer and Moderna) by the end of December 2020. If Virginia receives this expected allotment, 480,000 healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents will receive a first dose of the vaccine. Thereby beginning the inoculation process for nearly all members of Virginia’s two top- priority groups.

Based on a recent vaccine priority announcement, “The vaccine will be provided to Virginians in a way

that is fair, ethical and transparent,” said Virginia State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, M.D.,

M.A. “We will focus initially on the groups that have been most at risk for severe illness from COVID-19 infections and those whose work puts them at greatest risk of contracting COVID-19 infections”. Over time, as more vaccine supply becomes available, more Virginians will be able to get vaccinated, and we can look forward to a time when this pandemic will end.”

The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ on Tuesday voted to formally recommend

healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents as top priorities for vaccination. Healthcare

personnel that directly care for COVID-19 patients will receive top priority among health care providers. Subsequent weekly shipments are expected to begin after the initial 480,000 shipment and will be divided among HCP and LTCF residents.

As of Thursday, a panel of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) experts recommended emergency authorization of the vaccine for those 16 years of age and older, with first priority for administration being given to front line workers and nursing home residents. It is expected that the FDA will soon follow the panel’s recommendation and move forward with approval.

The Lakewood leadership team has identified for Walgreens, the number of vaccines needed during roll-out. The number of vaccines that were noted on Lakewood’s initial request included all levels of care. While we cannot say for certain that independent living will get the requested vaccines, Lakewood team members will continue to work closely with our distributor to advocate the vaccination of every Lakewood resident during the initial phase. As of today, however, we do not have an official arrival and vaccination date.

With the rising number of diagnosed cases and increased associated deaths across the U.S., Lakewood team’s focus continues to be preventing the spread of this virus into our community. Lakewood’s leadership team very much appreciates your cooperation and understanding over the past nine months of this pandemic. If you have any questions and/or concerns, please reach out to a team member at the Lakewood community.

Please check our COVID-19 communications hub at COVID-19 Communications Hub for up to date communications.