NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
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On Jan. 2, residents and staff of Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF), such as nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities, in Boulder County began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations through the Pharmacy Partnership for the Long-Term Care Program, a partnership among care facilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and CVS and Walgreens pharmacies.
Along with vaccines for healthcare workers providing direct care for COVID-19 patients, these vaccinations are part of the Phase 1A vaccine prioritization plan put in place by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to help protect those who are at greatest risk of the virus.
“We are hopeful that the vaccine will eventually restore some sense of normalcy for the residents, staff, and their families,” said Stacy Farman, lead LTCF epidemiologist for Boulder County Public Health. “Even with the vaccine, measures like PPE use and COVID screenings will still take place until the community rate of COVID transmission is lower.”
Farman stated that Long-Term Care Facilities have been greatly impacted as the measures necessary to protect residents have resulted in isolation from family and friends.
Once facility residents and workers receive the first dose of the vaccine, they are scheduled to receive the second dose in three or four weeks, depending on the type of vaccine. There will be an ongoing process to vaccinate new staff and residents.
“Feedback from facilities has been positive and the vaccine roll out has been smooth,” Farman said. “Slowing transmission of the virus will still depend on community members doing their part. Getting the vaccine is one measure, but social distancing and mask wearing in the community will still be important if families and friends are allowed to safely visit.”
Different measures are already in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 in LTCF. All staff and residents are screened daily for COVID-19 symptoms or potential exposure. Anyone who exhibits symptoms or may have been exposed to the virus is excluded from work or placed in special precautions to prevent spread to other residents or staff.
Depending on the transmission rate in the county, staff and residents who left the facility are tested for COVID-19 weekly or bi-weekly to identify asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic carriers. Currently, test results are received within 24 to 36 hours.
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