Vaccine Information

After a very thorough development process, a number of vaccines are now being distributed in the United States. Residents of senior living communities, especially healthcare communities, are at the top of the list to receive the new vaccines. Wesley Woods is in communication with both CVS and Walgreens to get vaccines to our residents and staff. If you are a resident or staff member of Wesley Woods you may sign up to receive the vaccine at the receptionist desk at your community.

our best shot graphic - two crossed bandaids

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the vaccines and their distribution. If you have any questions about receiving the vaccine, please ask the administrator at your community. Wesley Woods is excited about the potential these vaccines have for our residents and is looking forward to distributing them soon.

OUR BEST SHOT FAQS

All but one of the COVID-19 vaccines need two shots to be effective. The other COVID-19 vaccine uses one shot.

Yes. CDC recommends that during the pandemic people wear a mask when receiving any vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine.

Yes. There is not enough information currently available to say if or for how long someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again. Early evidence suggests natural immunity from COVID-19 may not last very long. Getting a vaccine is just added protection to whatever natural immunity you may already have.

Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, like wearing a mask and social distancing, help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. Together, the vaccine and safe habits protect yourself and others and offer the best protection from COVID-19.

Yes. While experts learn more about the protection the vaccines provide, it is important to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic. Together, COVID-19 vaccination and practicing safe habits offer the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19. More information is needed to understand the protection the vaccines provide before phasing out current safety protocols. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision.

Currently, there is not enough information to say when the CDC will stop recommending masks and social distancing. Experts need to better understand the protection the vaccines provide. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision.

The protection someone gains from having an infection (called natural immunity) varies depending on the disease, and it varies from person to person. Since this virus is new, we don’t know how long natural immunity might last. Early evidence—based on some people— suggests natural immunity may not last very long. Regarding vaccination, we won’t know how long immunity lasts until we have more data on how well the vaccines works.

Herd immunity is a term used to describe when enough people have protection from a disease—either through natural immunity or a vaccine—that it is unlikely a virus can spread. As a result, everyone within the community is protected even if some people don’t have any protection themselves.

The percentage of people who need to have protection in order to achieve herd immunity varies by disease but it is typically more than 70%. Dr. Anthony Fauci has estimated that between 75 and 80%  of people would need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity to COVID-19. Simply put, the more people who get vaccinated the better the chance of reaching herd immunity.

Please contact your personal physician immediately if you experience any adverse effects from the vaccine. The pharmacies administering the vaccines will also probably have a reporting mechanism for any side effects. And, please also let the administrator at your community know.