Mass COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Almost Complete

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

According to Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) data collected through March 17, 97% of care centers and 50% of assisted living have completed a third clinic. By the next weekly update, the mass vaccination clinic program will likely be completed.

First dose staff vaccination rates were 57% in all reporting care centers and 51% in all reporting assisted living settings. Some of the difference is due to care centers being ahead of the curve on the number of clinics held; the staff vaccination rate in assisted living has room to rise with the completion of third clinics.

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. MDH has set a goal of 70% staff vaccination rates, which will require additional effort now that the mass clinics have wrapped up. Resident vaccination rates have been high in both settings, with more than 87% of care center residents and 89% of assisted living residents having received a first dose.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) continues sharing with LeadingAge Minnesota weekly updates of the results of their Covid-19 vaccination survey, as well as the subset of results specific to LeadingAge Minnesota members. As of last week, MDH had responses from 95% of care centers and 62% of assisted living providers.

The LeadingAge Minnesota staff and resident vaccination rates match very closely the statewide rates in the MDH report on all providers. Our members have 58% care center staff and 51% assisted living staff first dose rates, and our resident first dose rates are 88% 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 staff vaccination rates of any region, at 59% in care centers and 42% in assisted living. Meanwhile, the MDH central region, which includes St. Cloud and the Brainerd area, has the lowest rates at 40% in care centers and 31% in assisted living.

MDH is implementing some changes to the vaccination survey, including putting those providers with staff and residents above 70% into “maintenance mode” where they will only have to report monthly. They intend to track other providers weekly to see if their vaccination rates reach the 70% goal.