Almost all nursing homes in the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care program have scheduled their first COVID-19 vaccination clinics, and 88% completed the first clinic as of Jan. 21, reports the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living.
The data, collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also show that of the more than 2.1 million doses so far administered to residents and staff nationwide, approximately 180,000 are second doses.
AHCA and NCAL foresee a long road ahead as the second vaccine doses are delivered, because community spread continues to be a threat to long-term care residents and staff, the groups said in a Friday statement.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has told federal healthcare agencies to use the Defense Production Act to fix supply gaps for vaccines, testing and personal protective equipment. The executive order also asks officials to address the pricing of pandemic response supplies.
