Leaders from LifeSpan, LeadingAge Maryland, and HFAM met again virtually today to advance the important work we have been doing with Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and National Guard leaders on holding the next round of initial COVID-19 vaccination clinics for residents, patients, and staff in skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers.

Since the completion of the three CVS/Walgreens clinics, Marylanders in need have continued to be admitted into nursing homes, new employees have been hired, and many of employees who were earlier reluctant to be vaccinated now wish to be vaccinated. And importantly, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is now and will be increasingly available.

Beginning next week, Remedi Senior Care will be allocated a limited initial supply of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from MDH and the federal government. Remedi will begin working with nursing homes and others with whom they contract to get these doses administered. Remedi will be in touch directly.

Additionally, in the next ten days Maryland National Guard tactical teams will receive limited initial supply of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. These teams will contact nursing homes approximately 48 hours in advance and will deploy to vaccinate residents, patients, and staff in nursing homes. It is critical that consent forms for employees, residents, and staff are signed and ready before the teams arrive. Vaccinations will not be administered without the consent form.

In the coming weeks we anticipate that more long-term care pharmacies will be in a position to provide the vaccine to our sector. With the expected increase in availability of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, it will be important for nursing homes and others in our sector to register with ImmuNet so that the state may allocate the vaccine directly to nursing homes and others.

In the near term, if the supplies of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine grow as anticipated, it will be critically important that Maryland re-initiate first dose deployment on assisted living campuses, senior housing, and underserved communities.

Finally, the Maryland National Guard tactical team will be sending a short survey to nursing homes via email ASAP. Please complete the survey. Stay tuned. Onward together!