COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Long-Term Care Closing in on Completion

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), 63% of Minnesota’s care centers have completed their third vaccination clinics and 73% of assisted living settings have conducted a second clinic as of March 3. Both numbers rose dramatically in just the last week, keeping the program on track to complete all clinics soon.

MDH shares weekly updates of the results of their COVID-19 vaccination survey with LeadingAge Minnesota, as well as the subset of results specific to LeadingAge Minnesota members. As of last week, MDH had responses from 94% of care centers and 60% of assisted living providers, so thanks to all the providers taking time to submit their information at a busy time.

Resident vaccination rates have been high in both settings, with more than 85% of care center residents and 89% of assisted living residents having received a first dose.

First dose staff vaccination rates were 56% in all reporting care centers and 50% in all reporting assisted living settings. The difference is likely due to care centers being ahead of the curve on the number of clinics held; the staff vaccination rate in assisted living has been rising by comparison each week.

The change in the data over time indicates that some staff who did not participate in the first round of vaccination clinics are deciding to be vaccinated in the second or third clinics. National provider associations, including LeadingAge, have set a goal of 75% staff vaccination rate, and it appears that Minnesota will come up short of that in this first round of clinics.

The staff and resident vaccination rates for LeadingAge Minnesota member communities match very closely the statewide rates in the MDH report on all providers. Our members have 58% care center staff and 49% assisted living staff first dose rates, and our resident first dose rates are 87% in care centers and 90% in assisted living.

The MDH report also looks at regional differences in vaccination rates. The Twin Cities Metro area has the highest first dose staff vaccination rates of any region, at 64% in care centers and 55% in assisted living. Meanwhile, the MDH central region, which includes St. Cloud and surrounding areas, has the lowest rates at 42% in care centers and 39% in assisted living.

With the mass vaccination clinics winding down and staff vaccination rates lower than what had been hoped, we are in ongoing conversations with MDH about the future of vaccination data collection and what the goal should be for staff vaccination rates moving forward. Providers can expect to see some changes to the questions and timing of the vaccination survey within a few weeks.