Elmcroft residents, staff receive COVID-19 vaccine
Residents and staff of Elmcroft of Reading got their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday.
“I am especially proud that we had 100% participation by the residents, who lead the way for our associates to follow suit,” said Heather McCool, executive director of the senior living community at 9 Collin Court, Exeter Township.
Residents have told her they relied more in a trust of science and less in the influence of social media when choosing to be vaccinated, she said.
McCool, who is six months pregnant, also said she had no reservations regarding the safety of the vaccine, and was the first in the Elmcroft of Reading community to receive it.
“I was happy to lead the community,” she said.
The vaccination clinic was part of Eclipse Senior Living’s efforts to help end the global pandemic and get its communities back to normal.
The company manages Elmcroft and a total of 107 independent- and assistedliving and memory- and skilled-care communities in the U.S., including 15 in Pennsylvania.
Eclipse clinics are hosted in conjunction with pharmacies approved to administer the vaccine by the state.
Elmcroft also will host three vaccination clinics to help residents and staff get the required second dose of the vaccine.
“We will continue to do our part to help end this global pandemic and get our communities back to normal,” McCool said.
The vaccine is just one piece of the solution to stopping the spread of COVID-19, she said, noting that Elmcroft will continue to take standard precautions until U.S. public health officials say they no longer necessary.
As part of those precautions, visits to Elmcroft residents must take place outside the building. Visitors must pass a health screening, wash their hands, wear a mask and maintain 6 feet distance. Heather McCool, executive director of Elmcroft of Reading, 9 Collin Court, Exeter Township, was the first to receive a COVID vaccination Thursday. All residents and staff participated in the inoculations, said parent company Eclipse Senior Living.