COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Long-Term Care Nearing Completion

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

In the most recent update from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), based on data through last Wednesday, clear progress on completing vaccination clinics has been made. At that point, 43% of care centers had completed their third vaccination clinics, and 56% of assisted livings had conducted a second clinic. Both numbers rose dramatically in just the last week, keeping the program on track to complete all clinics in a few weeks.

First dose staff vaccination rates were 56% in all reporting care centers and 49% 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. Notably, the staff vaccination rate in assisted living did increase four percentage points in the last 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.

Resident vaccination rates have been high in both settings, with more than 84% of care center residents and 89% of assisted living residents having received a first dose.

MDH shares association-specific data, and those settings which are members of LeadingAge Minnesota have staff and resident vaccination rates that very closely match 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 85% 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 52% in assisted living. The MDH central region, which includes St. Cloud and surrounding areas, has the lowest rates at 42% in care centers and 38% in assisted living.

As of last week, MDH had responses from 91% of care centers and 54% of assisted living providers, so thanks to all the providers taking time to submit their information at a busy time.