Kensington Park’s Annual Speaker Series: Local Author Spotlight
Tuesday, April 16th at 2pm: Susan Coll, Author of Acceptance
Space is limited, click HERE & RSVP Now!
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Kensington Park’s Annual Speaker Series: Local Author Spotlight
Tuesday, April 16th at 2pm: Susan Coll, Author of Acceptance
Space is limited, click HERE & RSVP Now!
Open Mobile Menu
Kensington Park COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccine at Kensington Park: What You Need to Know

Residents are now able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Kensington Park. This good news comes as the CDC urges seniors 65 and older to get vaccinated due to the higher risk of severe illness. Eight out of 10 COVID-19 deaths reported in the U.S. have been in adults in this age range.

The health and safety of our residents and team is of highest priority. That’s why this next step in getting all community members vaccinated is so important. We’re sure you have many questions about the vaccines and the virus, which we will answer for you here.

The most important things to understand about the COVID-19 vaccines are that they do not infect you with the virus, and strict testing has revealed the vaccines appear to be more than 90% effective. Read on to learn more about the vaccines and our protocols and prevention here at Kensington Park.

 

For additional information on our COVID vaccine safety measures, contact our team today to answer any questions you may have.

 

COVID-19 Symptoms for Older Adults

COVID-19 symptoms vary, especially in seniors. Older adults can naturally have lower body temperatures, which means fevers can show up at lower temperatures as well. Knowing your normal baseline temperature is important to getting an accurate reading. At Kensington Park, we have been continually monitoring resident temperatures and oxygen levels throughout the day.

Seniors with underlying conditions also may exhibit different symptoms than others. It’s important to be aware of the known symptoms the CDC has compiled, which is updated accordingly. 

Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus, and include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

If you experience any of the following urgent symptoms, seek immediate medical care:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

Since some COVID-19 symptoms are similar to the flu, quick testing is important in determining illness.

Can You Get Infected with COVID-19 After the Vaccination?

The COVID-19 vaccines do not give you the virus and will not make you sick. However, if you happen to become infected with the virus either right before you receive the vaccine or right after, you may still get sick. This is because it takes time for your body to build immunity.

The COVID-19 vaccines, currently produced by the companies Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, are called messenger RNA vaccines (mRNA). Traditional vaccines inject a weakened or inactive germ into your body, but mRNA vaccines work by entering the cells near the injection site and instructing them to start making the same protein found in the COVID-19 virus. This process then allows your body to make antibodies required to fight the virus.

The COVID-19 vaccine at Kensington Park must be given in two doses, spaced weeks apart. The first injection prepares the immune system and helps it identify the virus, then the second dose strengthens the immune response. Both doses are necessary to provide protection from the virus.

Side effects from the vaccine, if they occur, have been reported to be mild to moderate, and include fever, body aches, or fatigue. The side effects don’t mean something has gone wrong or that you have become sick with COVID-19. They may just indicate your immune system’s response to the vaccine.

Current COVID-19 Prevention Protocols at Kensington Park

Even after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, it is important to continue with current virus prevention protocols. As previously mentioned, your body will need both doses plus time to build the appropriate immune system response. Additionally, everyone in the community must be vaccinated for full protection from the virus.

Kensington Park will continue to execute our COVID-19 protocols, which include:

  • Testing and monitoring all team members
  • Social distancing
  • Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Frequent hand washing and sanitizing
  • Monitoring resident temperatures and oxygen levels
  • Frequent contact with Department of Public Health regarding visitation

The health and safety of our team and residents is of highest priority. Kensington Park’s promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own. We will continue to take every necessary measure to ensure our community is safe from COVID-19.

Anticipated COVID-19 Vaccination Protocol for Kensington Park

Our team is working with Walgreens to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine at Kensington Park. Everyone will receive both doses of the vaccine, spaced out according to procedure. The first clinic will be on Jan. 26, with second doses scheduled for Feb. 16. Anyone who didn’t receive the first dose can receive it on this date, with a third clinic date scheduled for March 9. 

New residents are also eligible for the vaccine! Contact our team to walk you through your options and answer any questions you may have about becoming a part of our Kensington Park family.

Phase 3 testing of the vaccine included 74,000 people, following strict guidelines from the FDA and independent panels of scientific and medical experts. This testing revealed the vaccines are safe, and appear to be more than 90% effective. In comparison, the flu vaccine is about 50+% effective.

If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine, please contact us. We would be happy to answer any questions you have about our virus or vaccine protocols.

 

Further Reading:

To learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care at Kensington Park, click below or give us a call today for any questions. We promise to love and care for your family, as we do our own.

 

Additional Recommended Reading:

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