Cantissimo Senior Living Blog

As the year 2021 kicks off, the COVID-19 pandemic continues into the new year with many questions about the release and disbursement process of the vaccines. Around the country, more than 100 million Americans are uncertain and skeptical about the vaccines due to the safety and side effects of the vaccines. There are currently two FDA unapproved vaccines, and they are to be used under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Healthcare professionals and senior living residents are two groups that are authorized to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Already, many healthcare workers across the country have begun the vaccination process. The general public can get vaccinated once these vaccines are approved for large scale administration and there is a vaccine more broadly available in the United States.

How mRNA Vaccines Work

The two vaccines that are currently being used are the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. Both of these are classified as mRNA vaccines. Unlike other vaccines, this type does not inject the virus into an individual. Instead, mRNA vaccines create a protein that triggers an immune response to produce antibodies. Obtaining antibodies for COVID-19 protects individuals from getting infected when they come in contact with the virus.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., significant attention has been given to the impact on senior living facilities. In Minnesota, as of June 1, there were 1,050 deaths related to COVID-19. Of these, 608 (58%) were among skilled nursing facility patients, and 259 (25%) were residents of assisted living facilities. Across the country, reports of severe outbreaks of the infection in senior facilities are regular news.

How is this playing out on the front lines? According to Jennifer Thorson, Executive Director at The Harbors Senior Living Community in Fridley, Minnesota, the pandemic pushed her facility to the limit when it first hit. “We had absolutely no choice but to get on top of this to make sure that we had all the proper procedures in place and be in constant contact with the MN Department of Health for their guidance. Being in a smaller facility such as the Harbors, only having apartments, we were able to control it into one wing of the building and assign a single care provider to take care of those residents who tested positive, limiting the spread even more.”