Sunrise Of McLean Seniors Receive COVID-19 Vaccine At Clinic

MCLEAN, VA — Residents at Sunrise of McLean were among the assisted living resident first receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in January.

Sunrise of McLean residents and employees received their first doses at a clinic hosted by CVS on Jan. 28. Sunrise Senior Living is working to schedule a clinic for second doses within the next few weeks in coordination with CVS Health.

Long-term care facility residents were prioritized in phase 1a of vaccinations in Virginia, along with health care workers. As part of a federal vaccination program, CVS and Walgreens have been conducting clinics at skilled nursing facilities since late December and at assisted living facilities since January.

The assisted living facility is not disclosing participation numbers as the vaccine is not mandatory for residents and staff. The community has been providing informational resources to residents and staff about the vaccine and has held one-on-one discussions, town hall meetings, letters, and other communications. A recent survey of more than 8,000 Sunrise residents and families at its U.S. communities found 92 percent of respondents will probably or definitely receive the vaccine for themselves or their loved ones.

A statement from Sunrise Senior Living thanked the Centers for Disease Control and Virginia for prioritizing long-term care communities. Sunrise Senior Living has regular contact with federal, state and local government, health officials and CVS Health in preparation for vaccination clinics at communities throughout the U.S.

"We are appreciative for the resilience and positivity our residents and team members have shown during this challenging year, and we’re looking forward to the day that we can put this pandemic behind us," reads the statement. "Until then, the COVID-19 vaccine is a key component of our evidenced-based infection control program, and we’ll continue practicing enhanced measures to stop the spread of the virus."

As of Feb. 9, CVS Health completed first doses at 195 skilled nursing facilities in Virginia and 97 percent of second doses. For 679 assisted living facilities in Virginia, 92 percent of first doses and 35 percent of second doses are completed.