August 23, 2021
Community Update #18
Dear Community Member,
With August coming to an end, I hope you have had an enjoyable summer and managed to spend some time with family and friends. There’s a lot to report on regarding testing and vaccines at BMH as well as new policies and procedures in place to keep our staff, patients, and entire community safe.
In an effort to merge the COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics into one convenient venue, we created the COVID Vaccination & Testing Center and relocated to the unit next to Brattleboro Family Medicine at 53 Fairview Street, Brattleboro. However, with the increase in the number of individuals coming to the Center for testing in the last month, we determined that we needed to make a change to the testing process. Beginning Tuesday, August 17, we moved the testing clinic to the lot in front of Brattleboro Family Medicine / behind Brattleboro House of Pizza (address is 417 Canal Street, Brattleboro). We have installed a separate freestanding facility in this parking lot which allows us to return to a drive-thru testing model. This model was highly effective when we were setup behind the Richards Building and we are happy that we can go back to it. To reiterate:
Vaccine Clinic: Unit next to Brattleboro Family Medicine, 53 Fairview Street, Brattleboro
Hours of operation: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday – 9:30am-1:30pm
Testing Clinic: Lot behind Brattleboro House of Pizza, 417 Canal Street, Brattleboro (enter between House of Pizza and Brattleboro Pharmacy)
Hours of operation: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday – 2:00pm-6:00pm
Pre-op and Inpatient Testing: With the increase in COVID positive rates, we are requiring that patients coming to BMH for a surgical procedure get tested for COVID-19. This includes patients that are vaccinated and those that are not vaccinated. If you are vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine following the test. Unvaccinated patients will need to follow the quarantine process after being tested. Testing will be setup in the Richards Building. Pre-op testing will begin Friday, August 27, 2021.
We will also go back to testing all inpatients regardless of vaccination status beginning August 27, 2021.
Like pre-op and inpatient testing, we have also had to modify our visitation policy due to the increase in local COVID-19 cases.
- One (1) visitor per department is allowed.
- Minors age two and older are allowed and are considered a visitor.
- Visitors under age 2 are not permitted
- All visitors must wear a mask at all times while in the hospital.
- Visitors will be screened for COVID symptoms at the main entrance of the Hospital, the Richards Building entrance, and the entrance of the Gannett Building
On Thursday, August 19, the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) issued guidance that recommends individuals who have compromised immune systems and received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to get a third dose of vaccine.
According to the CDC, the additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be administered at least four weeks after a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna.
BMH is prepared to begin providing 3rd shots for immunocompromised patients beginning the week of August 30, 2021. These vaccinations will take place at the unit next to Brattleboro Family Medicine, 53 Fairview Street, Brattleboro. See above for hours of operation.
Lastly, booster shots. Booster shots are expected to be rolled out beginning Monday, September 20th. Per the VDH website, “Although data continues to show the vaccines are highly effective in reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death, scientists are seeing a decrease in protection against mild and moderate illness from COVID-19 over time, especially due to the Delta variant. Because of this, HHS is planning to begin offering booster shots this fall to people who received their vaccine more than 8 months ago.” More information to come on the process of scheduling your booster shot in the coming days. We will follow guidance from VDH.
Stay safe and be well,
Steve
