By By Dan Hounsell

Vaccines for COVID-19 continue to reach the residents and staffs of senior care communities, as well as the general public. In response, managers are rethinking their visitation policies, with the twin goals of protecting patient and staff health and expanding access for the public.

One New Hampshire long-term care provider is launching a new visitation program for vaccinated individuals that weighs the risks versus benefits of loosening restrictions in the independent living part of its life plan community, according to McKnight’s Senior Living.

The Verified Vaccinated Visitors (3V) program allows fully vaccinated visitors to have unrestricted access to the community, although masking and social distancing still are required. The impetus for the program was knowing that vaccinated residents were going to go out into the general community to see loved ones.

“I would much rather they see their loved ones here, as soon as they are fully vaccinated,” said one executive.

To access the program, visitors provide the community with a COVID-19 vaccination record card from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, verifying that they have had both vaccine doses, with the second dose having been given at least 14 days before card presentation. In return, the visitor receives a laminated 3V card that he or she can show whenever arriving at the community.