By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Athol, MA) Quabbin Valley Health Care begin administering COVID-19 vaccines in their facility yesterday. An LPN unit manager and a resident of the facility were the first two to receive the vaccine. Quabbin Valley Healthcare was the first nursing home facility in Massachusetts to receive the vaccine. At this time, the vaccine is being provided free of charge by the federal government. Health providers that receive the vaccine must agree to not charge patients any out of pocket fees or deny care for COVID-19 vaccine services. Long term care facilities are part of Phase 1 vaccine administration scheduled between December 2020 and February 2021. Long term care COVID-19 vaccine guidance put out by the State of Massachusetts can be located here.