Residents, employees of local nursing home get first of two doses

            Despite a healthy fear of needles, Arleen DeVitis agreed to receive the novel coronavirus vaccination. As a member of the housekeeping staff at the Pennsburg Manor, DeVitis says it will provide much-needed peace of mind.  "I'm very grateful for the opportunity," she said.

`           Last weekend, residents and employees at the nursing home – located at 530 Macoby St. – received the first of two required doses of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. The initial shots were delivered on Jan. 2 in a lobby at the rear of the facility.

            "I can't wait until we can get this pandemic under control, and we can go back to a somewhat normal existence," said Nicole O'Brien, a registered nurse at the facility.

            On Dec. 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization for a vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome, in individuals 16 years of age and older. The first phase of vaccination, as determined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, focuses on reaching healthcare personnel, emergency medical services first responders, and residents and staff of congregate care settings.

            According to Administrator John McConnell, 90 percent of the residents and a majority of the employees signed up for the vaccination. He said no one was forced to get it.

            "Nothing was mandatory," McConnell said.

            Ruth Musselman – the lead pharmacist from CVS, the nursing home's chosen partner through the Pharmacy Partnership for Long Term Care program – said her team expected to deliver between 125 and 150 shots at the facility, then return on Jan. 23 to complete the inoculations using the vaccine delivered directly from Pfizer. Since before Christmas, Musselman and her five-person team have delivered similar vaccinations at facilities mostly throughout the Lehigh Valley. She said they expect to continue the process for another five weeks.

            DeVitis, a resident of the borough, said she has been "walking on eggshells" since March, when the pandemic reached the facility. Concerned about getting sick or infecting the residents, she was sure to follow health and safety guidelines. Despite concerns over potential side effects, she signed up for the vaccine and received her first dose without incident early Saturday afternoon.

            O'Brien, a day-shift supervisor who has worked at the nursing home for 9 1/2 years, overcame initial doubts about accepting the vaccine, due to concerns over its potential side effects, after she and her husband did their own research. According to the Allentown resident, everyone who accepts a vaccine needs to have faith in science. She said it would serve the common good.

            During the pandemic, O'Brien figured her infection would be inevitable. So far, she has avoided the virus by following all COVID protocols. Additionally, she has successfully protected her three small children.

            One resident signed up to receive the vaccine without reservation. Joanne Naylor, who has been at the facility for 18 months, survived a mild case in June.

            Naylor said she didn't want to contract a second case. Also, she didn't want to infect her two-year-old autistic son, who is non-verbal, when she gets home.  "It was something I had to do," said Naylor, whose first roommate, and close friend died of the virus in late June.

           Vaccination, along with personal protective equipment and testing, is the critical third leg of the stool in stemming COVID-19 spread in nursing homes and protecting residents and healthcare workers. This effort will help prevent further tragedies, especially in this vulnerable population, is the critical third leg of the stool, according to Dr. Richard Feifer, the executive vice president and chief medical officer of Genesis HealthCare, the business based in Kennett Square that owns and operates the facility.

            Through communications, engagement and trust-building, Genesis has a goal of 100 percent staff vaccination without attempting to impose a requirement. According to Feifer, company officials are also communicating with residents and their families to stress the importance of receiving the vaccine and how it will work.

           Genesis has robust communication and education initiative underway, encouraging vaccination among staff, residents and families, according to a statement provided by Lori Mayer, the vice president of investor relations, brand management and marketing communications for the business.

            "We are confident that the vaccine development and clinical trial process has been rigorous, and that the FDA will approve only the candidates that merit it," Feifer wrote.