Fallon Health vaccinating elder-care program participants

Photo | Courtesy | Fallon Health A Fallon Health Summit ElderCare patient in Worcester receives a COVID-19 vaccination.

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By Grant Welker

Health insurers have adjusted some of their coverage plans to help members during the coronavirus pandemic. Now some, including Worcester's Fallon Health, are getting directly involved in getting their members vaccinated against COVID-19.

On Monday, Fallon received 300 doses of Moderna's vaccine and by Friday it expects each of the 1,200 or so participants in its Summit ElderCare program will have received at least the first of the required two doses, either from Fallon's efforts or at other vaccination sites.

Summit ElderCare is Fallon's so-called PACE program, a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly, with locations in Leominster, Lowell, Springfield, Webster and Worcester. The day programs are meant to provide daily activities and access to physical therapy or other health services for those 55 and older.

Fallon has been rotating vaccinations among the different sites, with shots taking place in Worcester on Thursday and Webster on Friday. Anyone receiving a vaccination is within the state's guidelines, which limits eligibility generally to older residents and those with specific health risks. Fallon is planning on returning with more Moderna doses in four weeks to provide the needed second dose.

In other aspects of the initiative, Fallon nurses are going to the houses of about 20 members who are homebound to provide vaccines. Leftover doses — whatever is left in a vial is considered too valuable to waste — have been provided in limited cases to members of Fallon's NaviCare program, which provides Fallon members 65 and older services and medical benefits covered through MassHealth.

Fallon's program comes as Boston-based Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts said Thursday it will join Blue Cross companies across the country in helping to vaccinate 2 million seniors nationwide living in vulnerable communities. Through Wednesday, nearly 1.9 million doses have been administered in Massachusetts, according to the state Department of Public Health, including 587,000 who've received both doses.