Last month, Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine, announced that high-risk individuals like health care providers and residents of assisted living and nursing homes would be among the first to receive the new COVID-19 vaccine. This group will receive the vaccine as part of what the Governor calls "Phase 1A" of the state's vaccination plan.
The first phase of recipients includes:
- Health care providers and personnel involved with the care of COVID-19 patients
- Residents and staff at assisted living facilities and nursing homes
- Residents and staff at Ohio's veterans' homes
- Patients and staff at psychiatric hospitals
- People with intellectual disabilities and those who live with mental illness who live in group homes and their staff
- EMS responders
“To be in the first round is both a blessing and a tremendous opportunity to continue protecting the health and safety of our residents and staff,” said Eleanor Alvarez, Ganzhorn Suites Founder and CEO. “We’ve been fortunate to avoid an outbreak at our center. We firmly believe this is due to our small household design and private suites which research shows help to reduce the risk of exposure and spread of infections like Covid-19. Also, having a dedicated team of caregivers in each household decreases the chance of cross-contamination,” added Alvarez.
When asked what this means for families seeking to admit a loved to the center, Alvarez stated, “New residents will have the opportunity to be vaccinated if they are admitted during the first wave of distribution which is happening mid-January. We know many families have been caring for their loved ones at home and doing the best they can during the pandemic. This vaccine gives everyone confidence that it’s safe to move to a memory care center or other senior living facility when the need arises.”
Read more about Ohio's vaccination plan here: Ohio Vaccine Distribution
For more information about the Covid-19 vaccine and/or admission to the Ganzhorn Suites, contact Anne Farley, Community Relations Director, at 614-398-9333 or via email at CRD.Powell@ganzhorn.com.
