First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Administered at Christian Health

Christian Health (CHCC) residents and team members received their first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine today. Residents of Heritage Manor Nursing Home and Southgate were the first to receive the vaccine. Pharmacists from Walgreens established an on-site clinic for safe and efficient distribution of vaccines to the hundreds of individuals who consented to receive it today. Pharmacists licensed to administer the vaccine also visited long-term care resident rooms across CHCC’s Wyckoff campus.

CHCC has been proactively preparing for the vaccine rollout for weeks. Preparation included frequent communication to educate residents and their families, CHCC team members, and the community about vaccine administration and to address any questions or concerns. Additional preparation included collection of informed consent documents. CHCC’s Clinical Operations Review Team continues to meet weekly and consult with leaders throughout the organization to evaluate, refine, and implement new infection prevention and control measures, including vaccine administration.

CHCC medical staff members Allen M. Khademi, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs, and Aijaz Nanjiani, MD, CHCC Medical Staff President, endorsed the vaccine, saying, “Through CHCC’s heightened safety and cautionary analysis, our internal experts and medical staff have

and continue to carefully evaluate all recommendations. As physician leaders, we are confident in the vaccine and encourage all those who are able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to do so.”

“I feel confident in the extensive research and testing that was done by leading experts around the globe for the creation of the COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the thorough examination conducted by the FDA panel and independent advisors to approve the vaccines,” said Douglas A. Struyk, CPA, LNHA, CHCC President and CEO. “CHCC remains fully committed to the protection of our residents, patients, and our dedicated frontline health-care workers. My priority is to ensure they are vaccinated and safe first, and as soon as they received their vaccine, I was next in line to get it as well. Everyone holds a responsibility to make an informed decision about what they feel comfortable doing regarding the vaccine, but I, along with my top medical professionals, are encouraging all to receive this important vaccine.”

The federal government contracted with CVS and Walgreens to administer the vaccine at long-term care facilities through the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program. CVS and Walgreens are handling cold-chain management (temperature-controlled storage and transportation), scheduling, administration on-site at CHCC, and tracking and reporting the vaccine. CVS will manage vaccine distribution for residents and staff of The Longview Assisted Living residence in the coming weeks.

For more vaccine information and updates, visit CHCC’s COVID-19 Response page.