Aegis Living - Senior Care
Schedule Tour
Call us:
866-923-2712

The Search for a Safe and Protective Vaccine: Insights from Dr. Eric Sievers, M.D. , Chief Medical Officer at BioAtla

Eric Seivers MD thumbnail image

Our Coronavirus Advisory Council meets regularly to provide guidance and early understanding about the latest scientific research to help us evolve our best practices in senior care. This month we want to share recent insights from council member Dr. Eric Sievers regarding the search for a COVID-19 vaccine—as he and his team are in the midst of working on a solution.

Dr. Sievers is leading an early-stage clinical trial for an oral, DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine with Symvivo, a biotech based in Vancouver, BC. Unlike most vaccines that are delivered by an injection in the arm, the Symvivo vaccine would be given by mouth. Their oral vaccine is more easily manufactured in large amounts, relatively quickly and inexpensively and can be stored at room-temperature—all important advantages for conducting a global vaccination campaign.

As part of the effort of developing a safe and protective vaccine, he shares that we’ll collectively need several vaccines to ensure different populations and their vaccine receptivity are served. In particular, Dr. Sievers talks about the importance of a vaccine that specifically protects seniors. “As we age, our immune system requires considerably more vaccine stimulation to achieve an enduring protective response against viruses like varicella zoster, the virus that causes both chicken pox and shingles,” Dr. Sievers says. “Fortunately, multiple different vaccine strategies are under active clinical investigation, so that we can learn what works particularly well for seniors. These range from injecting inactivated virus, similar to the yearly influenza vaccine, to novel technology that delivers a fragment of viral genetic material to stimulate a protective response if the real coronavirus is ever encountered in the future.” 

As Dr. Sievers continues his work and can share more about his team’s progress, we will share insights.  For now, until a safe and protective vaccine is available and widely distributed, the best protective measures are to continue to follow the safety guidelines set forth by the CDC – follow physical distancing guidelines, wear a mask, and frequently wash your hands. Frequent testing for the virus plays an important role in keeping everyone safe as well.

We will continue to feature additional members of our council in the months ahead, along with their contributions and insights around our residents’ care.

Aegis Living Footer Logo - Home Page
Making the world a better place through constructing elegant hierarchies.
Privacy Policy CCPA/CPRA Policy Contact Us Careers Alerts & Updates
Don’t share my personal information/limit the use of my sensitive personal information.
Aegis is committed to adhering to the WCAG and welcomes feedback from users on accessibility issues.
415 118th Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA, 98005. Aegis Living © 2025. All Rights Reserved.
Did you know we offer short-term stays for seniors? Whether you are heading off on a much-needed vacation, need temporary support for a few days, or just need a break for a few hours a day, your loved one can enjoy everything our vibrant communities offer. You can relax knowing they are being safely cared for by an experienced and dedicated team.

We’re here when you need a break.
In the final stages of life, when a cure is beyond reach, Aegis Living’s hospice program offers dignified End-of-Life Care. We join forces with a trusted local hospice provider, either chosen by the family or recommended by the community, to offer comforting care and supportive services to your loved one during this challenging time. Through a coordinated care plan, hospice services complement and layer on top of our daily basic care offerings, delivering comprehensive support tailored to the resident’s specific requirements.
If your loved one is experiencing mild or early signs of memory loss, you may assume that designated Memory Care is their only choice. It’s not. At Aegis Living, we offer an alternative approach through Transitional Care. Unlike most senior housing providers, we defy the assumption that early signs of memory loss mandate a move into dedicated Memory Care. Our program supports residents who are not ready to move full-time into our Life’s Neighborhood Memory Care. Our communities are designed to safely maintain a sense of independence, enabling those with mild to moderate memory loss to remain in assisted living if that is where they feel most comfortable. Our supportive team members are specially trained to help them tackle memory loss challenges while keeping their independence.
Known for our expertise in Memory Care, we offer a spectrum of options for seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. For those with mild to moderate memory loss, we offer transitional Assisted Living. For those with more advanced memory loss, we have a dedicated Memory Care section of our community, called Life’s Neighborhood. Our around-the-clock, compassionate team provides personalized care to meet our residents wherever they are, and our rich programming includes recreational and social activities to keep residents active, engaged, and making new friends. Our team is here to support our residents’ families too; over the decades, we have supported and educated thousands of families through the journey.
If you or your loved one are no longer safe or thriving living independently, Assisted Living offers flexible levels of support and a true community. Our Assisted Living communities are staffed by kind and skilled caregivers, available around the clock for whatever residents need. This may be very little for now but we are also able to accommodate a very high level of care. Meanwhile, with cooking, transportation, housekeeping, and laundry taken care of, residents can relax and enjoy all life has to offer.
In Light Assisted Living, we celebrate the spirit of independence and inspire you or your loved one to live life to the fullest. With a focus on providing the right balance of assistance and autonomy, our dedicated team is committed to helping residents thrive in their warm and welcoming new home. From a robust calendar of engaging activities to a community full of new neighbors and friends to meet, we are here to make life easier and more enjoyable.