MDH Makes Changes to Vaccination Reporting

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has implemented changes to the vaccination reporting for long-term care providers. As mass clinics wrap up, MDH is implementing what they call “maintenance mode” for providers who have achieved a 70% vaccination rate for both staff and residents. At this point, 15% of providers meet that standard; therefore, they will be asked only to report monthly to show that they are maintaining high vaccination rates.

In the most recent update, staff rates for full vaccination were 54% in all reporting care centers and 45% in all reporting assisted living settings. The data change indicates that some staff who did not participate in the first round of vaccination clinics chose vaccination at subsequent clinics. To reach the MDH goal of 70% staff vaccination rates, providers will need to make significant efforts in many cases now that mass clinics are wrapping up.

Resident vaccination rates meet the goal, with 85% of care center residents and 80% of assisted living residents fully vaccinated. The LeadingAge Minnesota staff and resident vaccination rates match the statewide rates very closely in the MDH report on all providers. Our members have 55% care center staff, and 45% assisted living staff fully vaccinated rates, and our resident vaccination rates are 81% in care centers and 85% 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 62% in care centers and 49% in assisted living. Meanwhile, the MDH central region, which includes St. Cloud and the Brainerd area, has the lowest rates at 43% in care centers and 34% in assisted living.