There are no two ways around it. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can be complicated and confusing. Particularly for many older adults who may not be tech-savvy or have family to help them.
That’s why The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore and its agencies are taking the lead in this effort. From holding a Virtual Town Hall with its LifeBridge Health partner to creating a resource page, the goal is to make sure everyone can understand the options, sign up and navigate the process.
VACCINATING THE VULNERABLE
For the past six years, Louise Yochee Klein’s mother-in-law has been living in one of CHAI’s Weinberg senior living residences. When the pandemic hit last March, the staff quickly pivoted so that residents were engaged in socially distanced and safe ways.
Ten months later, CHAI again came through. CHAI, which is part of The Associated system, held vaccination clinics for interested residents in its Weinberg Senior Living buildings through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccination.
“The minute it was announced that we were able to partner with a pharmacy to vaccinate our residents, we jumped on the opportunity,” said Tiffany Nicolette, Vice President of CHAI’s Aging in Community division. “So many of these older adults don’t have transportation and it would have been difficult for them to go off-site.”
For many, not having to navigate the complicated sign-up process was a bonus. Weinberg made it easy, providing information and clinic dates.
For Yochee Klein this was a blessing. “I didn’t have to worry about navigating the system or picking my mother-in-law up and risking her health by taking her out of the facility. It was such an easy process…. they informed us every step of the way. I don’t know how I would have managed without them, now and throughout this COVID-19 crisis.”
For older adults who don’t live in one of these buildings, Jewish Community Services mounted an outreach effort to Holocaust survivors and isolated older adults. They established a dedicated line to help callers learn how to register for a vaccine.
At the same time, JCS vaccinated individuals with disabilities who either live in its residential units or participate in its supportive living programs.
Recognizing how important it is as many people as possible to get vaccinated, The Associated is even taking it a step forward. Working in partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department, The Associated is implementing a plan to educate our community about the vaccine and help steward us through the process.
For more information and ways to register for a vaccine, go to Associated.org/vaccine. If you are an older adult or a Holocaust survivor, call the COVID Vaccine information line at 410-843-7325 or email rrice@jcsbaltimore.org to request a call.
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