Organization/Industry
Smooth COVID-19 vaccine rollout at Providence
February 19, 2021
Since initial supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine were limited, many health systems faced challenges with vaccine rollout.
But from our first vaccine to the first hundred-thousandth and far beyond, we remain committed to serving all in our community with level heads, kind hearts and, always, human connection. That approach enabled us to facilitate a smooth and successful vaccine rollout.
Vaccination by the numbers
As of February 17, 2021, Providence administered 300,655 vaccines: 193,353 as dose one and 107,302 as dose two. These vaccines were administered to the first groups directed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): health care personnel, residents and patients in long-term care facilities, frontline essential workers, people aged 65 and older and people aged 16-64 with underlying medical conditions.
According to the CDC, “The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as large enough quantities of vaccine are available. As vaccine supply increases but remains limited, [we] will expand the groups recommended for vaccination.”
Vaccinating our caregivers
We encourage all caregivers to get vaccinated because it is a key step in saving lives and ending the pandemic.
To ensure an effective vaccine rollout within our organization, Providence launched an internal Validate and Verify tool that collected the most up-to-date role and location information for our more than 120,000 caregivers. The tool also asked caregivers to assess their own risk and indicate their willingness to get the vaccine, and confirmed how they would like to receive vaccine communications from Providence.
Screening requirements for vaccination
Consistent with standard vaccine process, Providence caregivers must answer several screening questions before being administered a COVID-19 vaccine. These include but aren’t limited to:
- Do you have a known history of a severe allergic reaction to any vaccine components?
- Have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks, or had exposure to a person who has?
- Have you had any new onset of COVID-19 related symptoms?
- Have you received passive antibody therapy in the past 90 days?
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant?
- Are you immune compromised or on a medicine that affects your immune system?
- Are you on a blood thinner or do you have a bleeding disorder?
Read more about preparing for the first dose or second dose.
Committed to a safe workplace
We want every caregiver, regardless of role, to be confident at work every day. That’s why we have advanced protocols in place to ensure all workers feel safe in our care environments.
Safety extends to feeling protected should you become infected with COVID-19, so we protect our caregivers with new and extended benefits.
Learn more about the vaccine and the Providence coronavirus response at the following links:
Providence is so thankful for our caregivers who give their all every day to keep our communities healthy. If you’re interested in joining our Providence family of caregivers, search jobs here.
