Vaccination Rates for LTC Staff Moving Slowly Toward Goal

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The most recent Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) update on long-term care vaccination shows slow progress toward the goal rates continuing for staff, while resident rates remain outstanding.

Staff rates for full vaccination were 65% in all reporting care centers and 62% in all reporting assisted living settings, up 1% for care centers and 2% for AL since the last report two weeks ago. The MDH goal is a 70% staff vaccination rate, which is now within reach, particularly for care centers.

The MDH report also looks at regional differences in vaccination rates, which show a lot of variation. The Twin Cities Metro area has the highest staff vaccination rates of any region, at 74% in care centers and 69% in assisted living. Meanwhile, the MDH central region, which includes St. Cloud and the Brainerd area, has the lowest rates at 51% in care centers and 45% in assisted living.

Resident vaccination rates remain excellent, at 90% fully vaccinated in care centers and 94% fully vaccinated in assisted living. The general population vaccination rate in Minnesota continues to rise, with 67% of those 16 and older and 91% of those 65 and older having received at least one vaccine dose.

MDH data comes from the required federal reporting through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). Using the NHSN data has increased the response rate, which is now 97% of care centers and 44% of AL settings. AL settings are now being asked to submit information only every two weeks, with those meeting the staff vaccination goal rate of 70% only reporting monthly. As of now, almost half of AL settings are being allowed to report monthly.