The Biden administration has ramped up its efforts to provide access to the most recent Covid-19 vaccines, including in nursing homes.
The federal government’s announcement on Tuesday comes at a time when only 39.8% of residents and 27.2% of staff are up to date per facility with their vaccines, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services will specifically launch the #VaxUpAmerica Family Vaccine Tour starting on Oct. 26, as part of its push to get more individuals, particularly older adults, the most recent vaccine. HHS will also host pop-up vaccination events and distribute toolkits at venues such as nursing homes and other health centers nationwide, according to a news release.
While the Biden administration last year announced that all healthcare workers who worked for providers that received Medicare or Medicaid funding were required to get vaccinated, no such mandates have been put in place regarding any of the subsequent boosters.
Roughly 86.9% of residents and 86.8% of staff have completed their primary vaccinations.
Initial fears of a mass exodus of nursing home workers after the vaccine was mandated was “largely unfounded,” according to Brian McGarry, assistant professor and lead author of a study published in JAMA Health Forum back in July.
McGarry previously told Skilled Nursing News that the data supports the federal mandate and should be used to inform future discussions about mandating booster shots or additional doses — especially as fall arrives and winter approaches.
More broadly, to reach older Americans, CMS is expected to send an emailed reminder to those who have signed up for Medicare emails with information about the updated vaccine, including how to get them.
