Hello all,

We hope this note finds you well and that you’ve found some moments of peace and joy during this holiday season.

To say we’ve faced a challenging year in long-term care would be putting it mildly!  Your understanding, encouragement and help in protecting the health and well-being of our residents and team members has meant more to our team than any words can express.

It is very encouraging that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found the new COVID-19 vaccines to be safe and effective!  As you know, the FDA cleared both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccination for use and, per recommendations from the advisory panel, it was recommended that healthcare workers and long-term care residents be among the first groups to receive the vaccine.  We are excited to share what we know about how Friendship fits into the overall distribution strategy thus far.

The Federal Government has contracted with CVS and Walgreens pharmacies to partner with long-term care facilities in an effort to get these vaccines out as quickly as possible.  We don’t have all the answers quite yet as to how this roll-out will occur, but we do have some information to share with you.

·       Walgreens will be the partner pharmacy for Friendship Health and Rehab Center

·       CVS is the partner pharmacy for Friendship Health and Rehab Center South, Friendship Assisted Living and Salem Terrace at Harrogate.

·       We plan on having three vaccination clinics on-site at the respective facilities in order to administer two-part vaccination.  The second dose is to be given 21 to 28 days after the first dose.

·       At this time, Friendship is not mandating the vaccine as a continued condition for residency or employment.  However, it is our hope that all residents and team members understand the great responsibility and honor we have to be first in line to receive the vaccine and to be a pace-setter for the rest of the Roanoke Valley and the nation.  

Residents and team members at Friendship Health and Rehab South will be administered the vaccine on Sunday, January 3, 2021, with the booster on January 24, 2021.  

As for Friendship Health and Rehab Center, Friendship Assisted Living and Salem Terrace, we are still awaiting details as to when the vaccinations for these residences will be available.  In the meanwhile, we are gathering necessary consents and working through logistics to ensure this process is smooth and efficient.

We encourage everyone who has access to receive the vaccine, to take advantage of the opportunity.  The elderly population has a much higher risk for getting very sick, and this vaccine has been shown to provide significant protection.  The more of us that get vaccinated, the better we can protect our residents, fellow team members, families and the greater community against potential outbreaks.  We have the ability to save lives!

Know that we will continue to take all necessary precautions after the vaccine is administered, including wearing personal protective equipment and conducting regular testing, to ensure the safety of our residents and team.  

Thank you again for your support and patience.  We will continue to share details as they come available.  Take care and stay well.