Staff and Adult Patients Receive Covid-19 Vaccination

Atlanta, GA – Skyland Trail was authorized to receive and administer the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine in December 2020. To date, more than 90 staff members and 30 adult residential patients have received their first dose of vaccine. Effective January 4, 2021, all patients admitting to the adult residential program will receive the vaccine at admission.

Individuals residing in communal living facilities have been identified as a high-risk group for Covid-19 infection. Because Skyland Trail is a communal living facility that operates as a personal care home, the Georgia Department of Public Health authorized vaccines for adult residential patients. Vaccines for residential mental health treatment facilities help protect essential healthcare workers, enable patients to receive critical mental health care, and prevent individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis from entering hospitals that are already at or near capacity.

Clinical trials indicate that the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine with very few side effects. Unlike the Pfizer vaccine that requires extreme refrigeration, the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine can be easily managed in standard freezers and refrigerators on Skyland Trail campuses.

The Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine is given in two doses, approximately 28 days a part. Patients and staff are eligible to receive the vaccine even if they previously tested positive for Covid-19. If a patient discharges before the second dose is scheduled, they may schedule an appointment with the Skyland Trail Glenn Family Wellness Clinic to receive the second dose free of charge even after discharge. Skyland Trail alternatively will provide documentation for the patient to receive a second dose at another provider after discharge.

Even though the majority of staff and patients will be vaccinated, infection control behaviors on Skyland Trail campuses will not change. All staff will continue to be required to wear masks at all times on campus outside of private offices. Patients also will be expected to continue to wear masks and practice physical distancing, and Skyland Trail will continue to require testing for residential patients as part of the admissions process. Skyland Trail will not permit visitors on campus at this time, even if they have been vaccinated.

Skyland Trail acknowledges that, while, vaccination is a powerful tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19, additional public health measures will be required until communities reach about a 70 percent vaccination rate.