COVID-19 Vaccine at Redondo Beach: What You Need to Know

As you may know, seniors aged 65 and older are in the high-risk group for developing a serious illness from COVID-19. The Redondo Beach team has been religiously following all safety protocols while anticipating the arrival of a vaccine. Fortunately, the COVID-19 vaccine is at The Kensington Redondo Beach and is ready for distribution to all team members and residents.

Based on strict and vigilant testing, the vaccines are showing to be more than 90% effective in protecting from illness. Unlike traditional vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus.

Getting everyone vaccinated is our top priority. Read on for COVID-19 vaccine information and to learn how our community is working to prevent the virus and distribute the vaccine quickly and safely.

COVID-19 Symptoms for Older Adults

Why are seniors more likely to develop serious illnesses from COVID-19? This research mostly reveals that the underlying conditions seniors develop, such as diabetes or heart or lung disease, contribute to a serious infection. That’s why it’s important for seniors to take all prescribed medications, have an adequate supply, and react quickly when illness occurs.

COVID-19 symptoms can occur two to 14 days after you’re exposed to the virus. Anyone can experience mild to severe symptoms. Take note of the following emergency warning signs of COVID-19 that require immediate medical attention These symptoms include:

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

Common symptoms of COVID-19 can vary, and if you have an underlying condition you may experience different symptoms. Make note of these symptoms, which may indicate you have COVID-19:

• 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

Older adults may have a lower overall body temperature than younger adults. It’s important to know your baseline temperature in order to recognize when you have a fever. At The Kensington Redondo Beach, we continually monitor resident temperatures and oxygen levels throughout the day.

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

The COVID-19 vaccines require two doses spaced weeks apart. The first dose prepares the immune system and helps it identify the virus. The second dose strengthens the immune response. Both doses are necessary to provide protection from the virus.

After you receive both doses and your body is given adequate time to build immunity, you should be able to fight the virus if you come into contact with it and be protected from illness. 

The COVID-19 vaccine at The Kensington Redondo Beach does not infect you with the virus in order to build immunity. The current vaccines, produced by the companies Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, are called messenger RNA vaccines (mRNA). Traditional vaccines injected 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.

Current COVID-19 Prevention Protocols at The Kensington Redondo Beach

Since everyone’s immune systems need adequate time to learn to fight the virus after vaccination, it is vital that COVID-19 prevention protocols at The Kensington continue. Our team and our residents are like family, and keeping everyone safe and healthy is our highest priority.

Current safety protocols include:

• Monitoring team members for symptoms at least every four hours (any team member exhibiting symptoms must go home immediately)
• Practicing social distancing
• Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Regular hand washing and sanitizing
• Monitoring resident temperatures and oxygen levels throughout the day
• Providing assistance for hand washing and sanitizing
• Maintaining full staff
• Following all state regulations and guidance on all protocols, including visitations

Our prevention protocols are always evolving depending on current state regulations and requirements. We are dedicated to exhibiting the highest level of care for our residents every day, and COVID-19 is no exception.

Anticipated COVID-19 Vaccination Protocol for The Kensington Redondo Beach

Phase 3 testing of the COVID-19 vaccines 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.

Our team is actively working to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine at Redondo Beach. The first vaccination clinic date was Jan. 12, with opportunities for the second dose, or first dose for new residents, on Feb. 2. The third date will be Feb. 23. All team members and residents will receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. 

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 The Kensington family.

Experiencing symptoms after receiving a vaccine is normal. Not everyone will experience symptoms, but if they do, they can include fever or body aches. This does not mean you are sick with COVID-19, it just means your body’s immune system is working to build protection against the virus.

If you have any questions about The Kensington Redondo Beach’s current protocols or would like more information, please contact us. We would love to talk with you about how we are keeping your family safe.

Additional Recommended Reading:

• The Kensington Redondo Beach Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic Announcement
• The Kensington Redondo Beach COVID-19 Preparedness Guide
• Holiday Season Fun with Seniors: Planning Socially Distant Celebrations
• Life Enrichment in Assisted Living During COVID