Industry observers have noted a distinct contrast between the numbers of long-term care staff members and residents willing to receive the first round of COVID-19 vaccines.
For example, a statewide survey of staff in Indiana nursing homes and assisted living facilities found that among 8,243 respondents, about 45% were willing to receive an approved COVID‐19 vaccine as soon as it became available. Among nursing home workers who were unwilling, 44% said they would consider doing so in the future, reported Kathleen T. Unroe M.D., MHA, of the Indiana University Center for Aging Research at the Regenstrief Institute.
Meanwhile, almost all residents apparently are consenting to be among the first people vaccinated in onsite clinics, Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living, told CNN last week.
“What we’re learning is that when these clinics are set up [in facilities], 95% of the residents are taking the vaccine,” he said.
In a LeadingAge call with members on Dec. 28, several providers who held clinics said that most residents (more than 95%) wanted the vaccine immediately, and at least half of their staff members did. Additional staff members said they would feel more comfortable with getting vaccinated in the second round.
Concern about side effects was the primary reason for vaccine hesitancy among staff members in the Indiana study (70%), Unroe and colleagues reported. Workers who were aged more than 60 years, male and white were the most likely to say that they wanted to be vaccinated, they found.
Notably, no statistically significant differences in willingness to be vaccinated were found among staff who self‐reported a prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection when compared with staff members who did not report having contracted the disease, the researchers said.
Combine vaccination consent process with education
Education may be critical for increasing uptake among staff members, Unroe and colleagues concluded. In fact, LeadingAge is hearing from members that the vaccination consent process may be the ideal time for educating potential recipients about the new vaccines and getting vaccinated.
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living have kicked off a branded vaccine education campaign and now offer a toolkit to help facility administrators get correct information to residents and staff.
