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What do nursing home vaccination rates look like in Petersburg? Here are the numbers.

Progress-Index - 9/28/2021

When the pandemic spread throughout communities last year, the nation's nursing home population experienced a wave of infections followed by deaths. But now with the aid of the Covid-19 vaccine, nursing homes have been able to thwart effects of the deadly virus.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released data that shows what percentage of staff and residents are vaccinated against Covid-19, and Petersburg's results are in.

In Virginia, the average staff vaccination rates stand at 70.2 percent whereas resident vaccinations are at 84.8 percent, according to data reported to CMS mid-September.

In the city's nursing homes, officials have focused on educating staff, residents and their family members to reach their vaccination goals.

At Dinwiddie Health and Rehab Center, CMS reports show that staff vaccination rates are at 92.2 percent and resident vaccination rates are at 85.2 percent. But since the report was published, they have vaccinated all staff and and are at a 97 percent resident vaccination rate, according Jennifer Eddy, spokesperson for Dinwiddie Health

"It comes down to residents expecting us to keep them safe, and the staff is committed to that," Eddy said. "The vaccines are working, they're making a difference."

The faciilty mandated staff to get the vaccine and continued with cleaning protocols, temperature checks, rapid testing, fresh masks for guests and encouraged hand washing. While they expected pushback for some of the protocols, everyone has been cooperative.

"This has been a really difficult time for everyone in our industry," Eddy said. "We felt like we had to do everything we could."

Next month, they plan on running a flu clinic so people can get the influenza vaccine along with the available Covid-19 vaccine for the remaining patients.

At Hiram W. Davis Medical Center, staff vaccination rates stand at 77.7 percent and resident vaccinations at 73.6 percent.

Jarvis Griffin, administrator and director, said he's continued to educate staff by highlighting how vulnerable nursing home residents are against Covid-19 and encouraged staff to get vaccinated because of what it meant for resident safety.

CVS Health came in to provide vaccinations once availability increased. While staff are not mandated to get vaccinated, Griffin hopes they'll reach their goal of getting 95 percent of staff and residents vaccinated by doing a similar drive as Dinwiddie Health and Rehab Center with the joint flu and Covid-19 clinic. They are working on getting consent from family members for the October drive.

"We've got an ambitious goal," he said. "We're doing our part to keep everyone safe."

Petersburg Healthcare Center did not report data to CMS. Battlefield Park Healthcare Center reported above state average levels for resident vaccinations at 85.7 percent but falls short with staff vaccinations, which are at 54.5 percent.

A call placed to Petersburg Healthcare Center's and Battlefield Park Healthcare Center's corporate office CommuniCare Health Services, was not returned.

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