San Diego, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2021) – St. Paul’s Senior Services is hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinics through February for their senior residents, along with essential workers, including doctors, nurses, and support team members. The first clinic was held at St. Paul’s McColl Health Center, a skilled nursing facility in the Banker’s Hill area of downtown San Diego, on Dec. 30, 2020.

“St. Paul’s Senior Services is thrilled to start off the New Year with the COVID-19 vaccination for our seniors and our staff,” said Cheryl Wilson, St. Paul’s CEO. “Several weeks before the vaccination arrived, we implemented an internal educational campaign to educate staff and residents about the vaccine. As a senior care organization, we are experiencing an immense amount of pride and joy regarding this vaccination; 2020 has been tough, but there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel for our seniors and employees.”

St. Paul’s registered with CVS Pharmacy to host the vaccination clinics at their residential communities as part of the federal CDC Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care. There will be three clinics at each community.

California has prioritized frontline workers at hospitals, as well as residents and staff at skilled nursing communities and assisted living communities. Everyone will need to receive two vaccinations, administered about three weeks apart.

“This is a true moment of hope for residents and caregivers in California’s long-term care facilities, such as St. Paul’s,” said LeadingAge California President and CEO Jeannee Parker Martin. “The COVID-19 vaccine will help us bring an end to the pandemic and ensure all California caregivers can provide safe, high-quality care.”

By early February, St. Paul’s expects to vaccinate 350 senior residents and as many as 300 staff members with the (Pfizer) vaccine. St. Paul’s continues to educate staff and residents about the benefits of the vaccine in an effort to encourage all St. Paul’s employees and seniors to get the vaccine.

LeadingAge endorses the recommendation of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices saying that older Americans and the long-term care staff supporting them – who have suffered most from the COVID pandemic – need to be among the first in line for life-saving vaccines. The lack of prioritization for older Americans and their care workers during the pandemic has cost too many lives. People age 65 and older have died from COVID-19 at shocking rates—over 80% of all deaths are among older adults.

St. Paul’s Senior Services employs almost 700 people, including nursing, facilities, social workers, administrative, dietary, housekeeping, among others, while St. Paul’s cares for more than 1,450 seniors throughout their eight locations. Their goal is to have all their residents vaccinated soon.

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About St. Paul’s Senior Services

St. Paul’s Senior Services is a mission-driven San Diego non-profit and full-service senior care provider, offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Skilled Nursing, a Child Care and Senior Day Care Program, and a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Since opening its doors in 1960, St. Paul’s serves as an innovator in the San Diego community with a reputation for exceptional care. For more information on St. Paul’s Senior Services, please visit www.StPaulsSeniors.org or call 1(619) 239-6900.