Coronavirus Updates 11/18/2021

Dear Patients, Residents and Families,

While the Pfizer vaccine booster has already been recommended for healthcare workers and nursing home residents, this recommendation was expanded to the Moderna and J&J vaccines as well. Pfizer and Moderna boosters should be given at least 6 months after the second dose. J&J boosters should be given at least 2 months after the initial vaccine.

I’m reaching out to you today to let you know why we are urging all residents and staff to receive a booster shot if they have not already done so, and to also encourage you to get boosted once you become eligible. Here are the facts:

• Nursing home and assisted living residents are at high risk for complications or death from COVID-19.
• Immunity wears off gradually after the initial vaccine.
• The delta variant of the COVID-19 virus can only be stopped with higher immunity levels.
• Receiving a booster shot is very effective at creating strong immunity, even greater than the initial vaccinations.
• The booster vaccine will reduce the chance of you having a “breakthrough case” of catching and spreading COVID-19 even after the initial vaccination.
• The booster shot is safe, having been administered to many millions of people already, with typical vaccine side effects that are similar to the original vaccination (and other vaccines we regularly receive).

If you have further questions about the booster, please reach out to your center’s executive director. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Dr. Richard Feifer
Chief Medical Officer

As a reminder, you can visit your Center’s web page for daily updates on visitation and vaccination rates at: https://www.genesishcc.com/findlocations.

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Previous Updates

• Coronavirus Update 10/22/2021
• Coronavirus Update 09/29/2021
• Coronavirus Update 08/02/2021
• Coronavirus Update 05/25/2021
• Coronavirus Update 03/19/2021
• Coronavirus Update 02/10/2021
• Coronavirus Update 01/28/2021
• Coronavirus Update 11/24/2020
• Coronavirus Update 10/20/2020
• Coronavirus Update 09/14/2020
• Coronavirus Update 07/27/2020
• Coronavirus Update 06/12/2020
• Coronavirus Update 05/29/2020
• Coronavirus Update 05/13/2020
• Coronavirus Update 05/01/2020
• Coronavirus Update 04/22/2020
• Coronavirus Update 04/08/2020
• Coronavirus update 03/30/2020
• Coronavirus Update 03/25/2020