Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that Louisiana nursing homes are next in live to receive COVID-19 vaccines before the end of the year.

The FDA has approved vaccines from Moderna and Phizer. The first round of shipments that made it to Louisiana were distributed to frontline workers and hospital personnel. The hardest hit segment of our communities by the coronavirus pandemic are the elderly in nursing homes, and local facilities are anxiously awaiting its arrival.

The Executive Director of Stonebridge Place, Ashlee Guidry, told KPLC their residents are ready to get the vaccine to not only return to a sense of normalcy but also to see their loved ones again. They've partnered with CVS to help administer the vaccine to residents and staff when it arrives.

The Louisiana Nursing Home Association Executive Director, Mark Berger, had this to say in a press release:

The Louisiana Nursing Home Association (LNHA) is eager for the COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed to Louisiana’s nursing facilities. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has designated the Moderna vaccine for the nursing home population and nursing facility staff and residents should have access to the vaccine by the end of December. LNHA encourages as many residents and staff as possible to get this vaccine as it has been shown to provide a great deal of protection against serious illness due to COVID-19. Our focus remains on protecting Louisiana’s most vulnerable quickly and effectively during this pandemic.

I can't imagine how lonely it must be to not see your family for months on end. Phone calls are nice. However, nothing can replace a hug and seeing a loved one in person. I hope this vaccine not only protects our elderly, but also accelerates the process of letting family members back into our nursing homes.

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