Provider Community & MDH Continue Working Toward Vaccination Goal

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

In the most recent Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) update, staff rates for full vaccination were 56% in all reporting care centers and 48% in all reporting assisted living settings. These numbers both went up by one percentage point in the last week, which is encouraging. To reach the MDH goal of 70% staff vaccination rates, providers will need to continue encouraging staff vaccinations. MDH is now limiting reporting for providers who are meeting the goal rates for residents and staff, and as of the most recent report, 23% of providers were meeting the goal.

Resident vaccination rates are well above the goal, with 81% of care center residents and 87% of assisted living residents fully vaccinated. The LeadingAge Minnesota staff and resident vaccination rates are very slightly better than the statewide rates in the MDH report on all providers. Our members have 57% care center staff and 48% assisted living staff fully vaccinated rates, and our resident vaccination rates are 83% in care centers and 88% 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 63% in care centers and 52% in assisted living. Meanwhile, the MDH central region, which includes St. Cloud and the Brainerd area, has the lowest rates at 42% in care centers and 36% in assisted living.

To increase LTC staff vaccination rates, MDH will start reaching out to assist those providers who have so far achieved the lowest rates. About half of providers are at less than 50% staff vaccination, and MDH is contacting those providers to discuss strategies to increase those vaccination rates.