The Glebe Urges Its Community Members to Get Vaccinated

Vaccination rates amongst independent living residents at The Glebe are at 94% or above, while the rates amongst licensed areas are at 85% or higher. These numbers have lagged a bit for team members. Until the community reaches 100% vaccination for all team members and residents, The Glebe’s leadership team will continue to provide resources, education and support to our community members as they determine if vaccination is right for them.

“Freedom is a huge benefit. Protect yourself and your loved ones,” said The Glebe’s Medical Director Dr. Bradley Goad. “The vaccine is very effective. We’ve seen a dramatic decrease in infections in nursing homes. Can’t encourage enough to get this vaccine so we can get herd immunity in the community.”

The Virginia Department of Health’s Nurse Advisor LaWanda Dunn said the vaccine works by teaching the immune system what to do in response to a COVID infection.

“You do not catch COVID-19 from getting the vaccination. The first injection, if you get a two-dose series, is your body figuring out what to do. Then, with the second dose, your body is like, ‘Okay, we know what to do. We’re going to respond,” Dunn said.

Glebe residents Peggy and Bill Overstreet said getting the vaccine was like a weight lifted off their shoulders.

“You don’t have to look over your shoulder or around the corner to see if there’s COVID sneaking up on you,” Bill said.

Wanda and Larry Fischbach agree. They said getting the vaccine is a gift given to the community as a whole.

“It’s something we can do for somebody else, people we probably don’t even know so that we can get rid of this virus out of our community,” Larry said.

Glebe team member Fred Crane said the peace of mind the vaccine gave him is a wonderful thing.

“In healthcare, you have to realize that what you do outside of your job you bring into your job,” he said. “The residents are great and it’s important for me to keep them safe.”