A report published on November 21, 2024, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that as of November 10, only 30 percent of nursing home residents had received the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Among facilities that reported influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination data, 58 percent had received the influenza vaccine, while only 18 percent had received the RSV vaccine.
During each week of October 2024, approximately 5,500 nursing home residents were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 360 were hospitalized following a positive test result. In the 2023–24 respiratory virus season, adults aged ≥65 years accounted for 70 percent of all COVID-19 hospitalizations, with one in six adults hospitalized being a nursing home resident. Hospitalization rates for nursing home residents during the 2023–24 season were significantly higher than those for the general population.
The CDC attributes low vaccine demand to mistrust in institutions, safety concerns, and misinformation. These factors, along with concerns about the rapid development and approval of mRNA vaccines, contribute to vaccine hesitancy.
A strong recommendation from healthcare providers can help overcome these barriers. Vaccination coverage was highest in smaller nursing homes, particularly in North Dakota and South Dakota, suggesting that staff in these facilities may be better able to build trust and address hesitancy.
Among those aged ≥60 years hospitalized with RSV between July 2022 and June 2023, 17 percent were long-term care residents. Despite an expanded recommendation for RSV vaccination, coverage remains low, indicating persistent barriers. The higher cost of RSV and COVID-19 vaccines, compared with influenza vaccines, may further limit access, especially in nursing homes with fewer resources.
A combination of strategies is necessary to address these challenges. The CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have developed a “Billing Medicare for Respiratory Vaccines” fact sheet, available here. You can access the full report here.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Healthcare facilities must remain vigilant against the spread of RSV, COVID-19, influenza, and other infections. Nursing homes often serve residents at great risk of severe illness and death from these diseases, and congregate care settings have an increased risk of spread of respiratory infections. A critical strategy that can be taken to help decrease the spread of RSV, COVID-19, and influenza is vaccination, along with other CDC recommendations to help reduce the transmission of the viruses.
Discussion Points
- Review your policies and procedures on infection control and RSV, COVID-19, and influenza vaccination. Ensure that they are updated with the latest CDC guidance.
- Train all staff on your Infection Control Plan and your policies for vaccination and prevention of respiratory illnesses. Train appropriate staff on administration of the vaccines. Offer appropriate vaccines to residents and provide related education to them and their representatives to facilitate their ability to make informed decisions. Place training documentation in each employee’s education file.
- Audit to ensure that staff are following the CDC vaccination guidance for RSV, COVID-19, and influenza. Also audit vaccine consent and administration rates.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, Inc. for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*
