NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — More than 1,400 long-term care facilities in Virginia are expected to receive doses of the coronavirus vaccine in the coming weeks.
The Virginian-Pilot reported Sunday that CVS and Walgreens will administer the vast majority of the doses. The pharmacy chains are partnering with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to take vaccines directly to the facilities so residents don’t have to travel.
Virginia is putting front-line health care workers and long-term care residents in the top tier priority group for immunizations. The state has received 388,000 vaccine doses collectively from Pfizer and Moderna.
State health officials said that nearly 65,000 vaccinations had been administered before New Year’s Day. But that number is believed to be low because of lags in reporting. No one has received the complete two-shot series because injections must be spaced three or four weeks apart, depending on the brand.
Long-term care facilities are also rushing to get consent forms signed by residents or the individuals who make decisions for them.
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