Sentara Healthcare receives initial shipment of COVID-19 vaccine

Dec. 14, 2020 - Sentara Healthcare has received its first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, December 14. Sentara Healthcare is preparing to offer the COVID-19 vaccine first to healthcare workers with the highest risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Sentara's initial supply is limited and vaccines are being shared across the system. Sentara is following recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health, CDC & ACIP recommendations, and limiting initial vaccine distribution to a priority group that includes emergency department staff, ICUs, COVID patient units, respiratory unit staff and hospital staff who provide services in these areas (e.g. ESD, food service, staff who go into patient rooms), among others.

With the arrival of this first shipment, Sentara will stand up vaccine clinics where the vaccine will be administered to its priority groups in the hospital setting with the highest risk of COVID-19 exposure later this week. We expect additional shipments, but dates are to be determined.

The COVID-19 vaccine is voluntary. Employees are not required to receive the vaccine. All staff will continue to wear proper PPE, including masks, and follow Sentara's COVID-19 protocols regardless of vaccination status.

The COVID-19 vaccine is not available to the community at this time. If you are a member of our community, please do not visit a Sentara hospital looking for a vaccine. We will continue to give you updates as soon as we can on when more supply becomes available.

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Dec. 7, 2020 - Consistent with CDC & ACIP recommendations, Sentara Healthcare is preparing to offer the COVID-19 vaccine first to healthcare workers with the highest risk of COVID-19 exposure. Phase 1 vaccine distribution will include emergency department staff, ICU's, COVID patient units, respiratory unit staff, cleaning and food service employees who interact with patients, and others. The COVID-19 vaccine will be optional for all employees.

Sentara is expecting to receive the Pfizer vaccine in the first allotment from VDH and VHHA. The vaccine will be shipped to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital initially, stored in the required ultra-cold storage freezer, and then relocated to Sentara Employee Health Clinics at the appropriate time.

Sentara's Employee Health nurses will administer the vaccine to employees based on their exposure risk to COVID-19. Employee Health nurses provide a number of different vaccines to employees year-round and are familiar with the process.

Sentara is currently preparing for Phase 1 vaccine distribution only. Plans have not been made yet on how the vaccine will be delivered to community members. We will keep you updated as we receive more guidance from the state and gain valuable insight from our Phase 1 distribution efforts.

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Nov. 16, 2020 - Sentara Healthcare is meeting regularly with state and federal officials to prepare for a COVID-19 vaccine. Immunization with a safe and effective vaccine is a key component of the United States' strategy to reduce the severity of, and deaths attributed to, the virus.

• Sentara Healthcare has agreed to be an early adopter of COVID-19 vaccine administration as part of the Commonwealth's Unified Command and VDH COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.
• We have created a COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce to develop a plan, guidance, and clear communication for our team members and community. As we receive guidance from state and federal regulators, we will share more with you.
• We expect to receive a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines upon Emergency Use Authorization (EAU) approval and nation-wide distribution. We do not know when but are preparing for a variety of scenarios.
• Upon procurement, the voluntary COVID-19 vaccine will be first available to high-risk healthcare employees using a phased approach consistent among hospitals in Virginia. Virginia hospitals have come together through the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) and agreed upon a standard stratification of eligible employees based on risks.
• Healthcare workers with the highest risk of COVID-19 exposure will be given priority (example: COVID inpatient units and emergency personnel).
• The COVID-19 vaccine will be VOLUNTARY/OPTIONAL for Sentara employees. No one will be required to receive the vaccine.

We will continue to share more updates as they become available.