While we are excited to see CDC progressing towards normalcy in their guidance, Fairview Haven must continue to abide by the regulations of Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. While these agencies have not yet issued updates to the regulations, so far they eventually follow the CDC recommendations.
In these recommendations, the nursing home is given significant freedom to begin lifting restrictions for at least our fully vaccinated residents and visitors. Fairview Haven will not mandate our residents, team members or visitors to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and will respect everyone’s individual decision about the COVID-19 vaccine, although we do strongly support vaccination as a means to protect our residents and move forward towards the normalcy we all so strongly desire. We promote that everyone should utilize trusted sources, such as their family physician, when making this decision.
With that being said, I feel obligated to share with you that we believe in the coming days, persons (visitors and residents) who are vaccinated will have less restrictions at Fairview Haven than those who are not. While this may not be our choice, as a licensed facility, we will follow the law. We look forward to a day soon when all restrictions can be lifted, but until then, there likely will be distinctions made. If you have questions or just want information about the COVID-19 vaccination, please feel free to reach out to Dave Blunier, Brandon Stoller or Lila Fehr, or private message Fairview Haven.