Marlboro Seniors Among First In NJ To Receive COVID Vaccine

MARLBORO, NJ - These Marlboro residents are among some of the first seniors in the state to receive the vaccine to protect against COVID-19.

Seniors and staff members at Sunrise Senior Living received the Pfizer vaccine Sunday at a clinic administered by CVS Health, according to a facility spokesperson. The facility declined to give specific numbers of residents and staff vaccinated citing the personal nature of the decision, but noted that additional clinics will be scheduled in the coming weeks.

The clinic comes as part of a federal pharmacy program implemented across 49 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico (West Virginia did not opt into the program). CVS Health, along with Walgreens, is traveling to all 291 nursing homes in the state to give out the injections.

After nursing home residents are vaccinated, CVS and Walgreens are slated to vaccinate thousands of residents and staff at other sites including assisted living facilities, developmental centers, federal housing for seniors and group homes and other long-term residential facilities. News12 reports that the initiative began last month and is expected to conclude its first round of nursing home vaccinations by Jan. 25.

Currently, vaccines are widely available to those who are in Phase 1A, which includes those serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials, as well as residents and staff of long-term congregate settings. Once vaccine availability expands, vaccination will advance to "Phase 1B" (which includes seniors), then "Phase 1C," and then "Phase 2," according to the state Department of Health. Read more: When Can You Get COVID-19 Vaccine In NJ? Here's The New 2021 List

Local healthcare workers and first responders eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine can register for a vaccination appointment through Monmouth County or Hackensack Meridian Health. Related: Monmouth Co. Launches Online Vaccine Scheduling System, Bayshore Medical Center To Offer COVID Vaccines To Police, EMS

The COVID-19 vaccines will require two doses. The first dose will begin building protection while the second dose will help provide more protection.

“We wish to applaud the CDC and the state of New Jersey for prioritizing members of our communities,” Sunrise Senior Living said in a news release.

Across New Jersey, coronavirus deaths nearly tripled at nursing homes last month, according to an NJ.com report. In fact, according to The Atlantic’s COVID Tracking Project, 38 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in the country were reported in LTC facilities as of Dec. 31.

According to data from the state, Sunrise Senior Living in Marlboro has reported 3 COVID-19 cases among staff members and zero related deaths.

Read more: NJ COVID Nursing Home Deaths, Cases Spike As Murphy Points Blame

Sunrise Senior Living has been in regular contact with federal, state and local government and health officials as well as CVS Health, to prepare for vaccination clinics, According to a news release. Over the past several weeks, information from the CDC and FDA has been disseminated to residents and team members through one-on-one discussions, town hall meetings, letters, and other correspondence.

“The availability of the COVID-19 vaccine is the most important development to continue fighting this virus and protect the health and safety of our residents and team members,” the facility said in the news release.

“We are appreciative for the resilience and positivity our residents and team members have shown during this challenging year, and we’re looking forward to the day that we can put this pandemic behind us. Until then, the COVID-19 vaccine is a key component of our evidenced-based infection control program, and we’ll continue practicing enhanced measures to stop the spread of the virus.”