Texas Assisted Living, Nursing Communities Develop Protocols for When COVID-19 Vaccine Approved

KXXV reports that assisted living and nursing communities in Texas will be among the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine once they become available, and Temple, Texas-based communities like Mercy House are preparing residents. "The plan is to offer the vaccinations to both residents and staff on a completely volunteer basis," explained Mercy House administrator John Darby. "There won't be any requirement to take the vaccination." Mercy House presently serves 28 residents with dementia and has about 25 people on staff. "At this point, our communication is just to let families know that Mercy House has signed up for vaccination, that their loved one is eligible for the vaccination, and that when we have more information, we'll make it available to them," Darby said. He also observed that there are currently about 75,000 people living in assisted living communities throughout Texas, and another 90,000 living in nursing communities. "We're expecting a million doses here in Texas starting on Dec. 14," Darby stated. "While they haven't released a distribution schedule yet, I would imagine that to get to all of us isn't going to be real speedy."