Stella Maris is one of the first Maryland nursing homes to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Stella Maris – Maryland’s largest long-term care facility – has become one of the first nursing homes in the state to receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for residents and staff.

Representatives from Walgreens pharmacy arrived on the sprawling Timonium campus Dec. 23 to distribute more than 400 doses of the Pfzier vaccine, which must be kept at extremely cold temperatures to remain effective.

“Well, I think it’s really just the first step in getting through this horrible trauma that we have all been a part of. And it’s not going to fix everything immediately, but it’s definitely going to be part of the solution,” said Regina Figueroa, chief administrative officer for Stella Maris, which is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. 

Under the government’s plan, national pharmacies Walgreens and CVS will spearhead the distribution of the vaccines to long-term care facilities such as Stella Maris. The companies will ensure the vaccines are temperature controlled and will administer the vaccine to residents and staff. Those vaccinated this week will receive a second dose in 21 days.

The staff and residents of long-term care facilities are the second group to receive the new vaccines after front-line medical workers. The federal Food and Drug and Administration has given emergency authorization for the use of two vaccines produced by U.S. pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna. A third vaccine developed by British firm AstraZeneca and researchers at Oxford University is expected to be available early next year.

Residents of long-term care facilities have been among the hardest-hit populations by COVID-19. Figueroa said Stella Maris has avoided major outbreaks at the Timonium facility, but it has had cases despite aggressive precautions to stop the spread of the disease.

Residents of Stella Maris’ assisted-living facilities and apartment complexes will receive the vaccines at a later time.

Amid an unprecedented surge of coronavirus cases in Maryland and across the country, little will change at Stella Maris after the vaccine is distributed, Figueroa said. Visits will still be suspended; masks and other PPE will remain in place along with other precautions.

Figueroa said there has been little resistance from the staff and residents about getting new vaccines.

“I’d say the majority have been very excited and anticipating getting it has given a sense of relief from the families,” Figueroa said. “This being the most vulnerable population, it’s definitely been something everyone’s been looking forward to,” Figueroa said.

Resident Margaret Whitty, 93, was among those who received the vaccine Dec. 23.

Whitty, the mother of eight children, all of whom still live in the Baltimore area, arrived at Stella Maris in March, just before the start of the pandemic. Her visits with her large family have been limited, sometimes outside in the courtyard, sometimes behind glass.

The former parishioner of St. Isaacs Jogues in Carney hasn’t been able to attend Mass in person, instead watching on television. She celebrated her 93th birthday over Zoom.

She said she was excited to get the vaccine and didn’t hesitate to be among the first to be vaccinated.

“They have done their homework,” she said.

Figueroa was also among those vaccinated. She said although the vaccine won’t change things for Stella Maris in the short term, it will provide a huge morale boost to her staff, which she said has been doing “amazing work” under incredibly difficult conditions for months.

“I’m grateful that the scientists were able to come up with this so quickly. We have all been through such a challenging time together as health care workers and truly heroes,” Figueroa said. “And of course, you know, as a leader, I want to take that first step and show everybody that this is the right thing to do for ourselves, for our residents, for our families and for the community.”

Email Tim Swift at tswift@catholicreview.org

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