Topline
Although several states have previously reported problems in vaccinating nursing home workers, data released Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is emerging for the first time the extent of the nationwide movement, as only 38% of nursing home workers nationwide responded to shots.
Hundreds of people and medical staff filled the floor as medical workers protected the public and … [+]
AFP through Getty Images
Key facts
The CDC report examined about 90% of the facilities participating in the federal government’s nursing home circulation program – a partnership with CVS and Walgreens – that completed the first wave of vaccinations at nursing homes across the country at the end of the month.
According to the report, only 37% of employees received at least one dose of the vaccine in the first month of delivery, against 77.8% of nursing home residents.
The CDC report included previous polling data to explain why so many workers are declining the vaccine, noting that concerns about vaccine safety and side effects are one of the most common fear.
However, the group also noted that some workers may not have been vaccinated because they were not working at the time, or were receiving the vaccine at one facility but were working. at several.
Ruth Link-Gelles, head of the CDC’s long-term care vaccination program, said there was “concern” among nursing home staff, but said the group was pleased with the number of residents the situation.
Quote Cruise
Nevertheless, the number is a cause for concern, said Dr Radhika Gharpure, lead author of the study and a member of the CDC Vaccination Action Group USA today. “These findings show that we have a lot of work to do to build confidence and also to understand the barriers to vaccination among this population,” Gharpure said.
Amazing info
There are enough vaccines Garpure said the nursing home inoculation program has been instructed to deliver doses back to the states.
Key background
Long-term care facility staff have been prioritized for the Covid-19 vaccine due to the high tax spread of nursing homes. Despite making up just 1% of the U.S. population, those living in long-term care facilities have accounted for approximately 36% of coronavirus deaths, according to data from the Atlantic COVID Management Project. Nevertheless, some states have been struggling to protect these vulnerable populations since the first vaccine doses were released in late December, with experts saying online misrepresentation of information and historical trust in the medical system.
Further reading
“Large number of health care and frontline workers refuse Covid-19 vaccine” (Forbes)
“Multiple states report nursing home workers unwilling to be vaccinated” (Forbes)
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