United States: The persistent and current difficulty in staffing, along with continuing vaccine hesitancy, are why, according to the survey and interviews with industry professionals to McKnight’s Senior Living, only 11 percent of approved Florida assisted living communities and nursing homes mandate flu vaccination for staff.
More about the news
The researchers from the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions in Gainesville received answers over the span of one year.
Survey findings noted the needs assessment survey of professionals who take care of infection prevention and control in the state’s 3,690 assisted living provisions, nursing homes provisions, and skilled nursing facilities provisions (long-term care facilities).
The findings were published in the American Journal of Infection Control, which also notes that there are few long-term care facilities needing flu vaccination.
What has the survey found?
Moreover, in the survey, Florida ranked fourth in the number of long-term care facilities across the nation. It also comes second on the list of the proportion of the elderly population who reside in this state.
The authors stated that the low vaccination rate for influenza in members of the state’s long-term care workforce should prompt improved vaccination policies and educational programs.
However, Florida senior living associations do not believe this. They contend that providers provide good vaccine education not only for workers but also for families and residents.
They would rather associate the survey more with the demographic diversity of their workforce and issues related to staff acquisition.
The FHCA’s Kriten Knapp, senior director of strategy and communications, explains to McKnight’s Senior Living that the reality is that skilled nursing providers remain unable to staff adequately; it would be counterproductive to threaten action that may dissuade possible employees from pursuing careers in long-term care.
According to Knapp, “Florida also has a very diverse population, with individuals from different backgrounds and cultural values and preferences who may be hesitant to take the vaccine,” mcknightsseniorliving.com reported.
“Our staff is reflective of that diversity, so again, there lies the risk of deterring potential workers,” Knapp added.
He also mentioned that vaccine hesitancy also remains consistent among the general public. Even though providers continue to let the staff know the need and benefits of vaccines, Knapp noted that FHCA would go on to share resources and materials via the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living’s #GetVaccinated campaign.
According to Jason Hand, the Florida Senior Living Association’s Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, Florida’s assisted living communities have been seen to be proactive in terms of flu vaccine uptake.
“Furthermore, our industry protects residents through rules that require any staff member who has, or who is suspected of having, a communicable disease to be immediately removed from duties until a written statement is submitted from a healthcare provider indicating the individual does not constitute a risk of transmitting a communicable disease,” Hand added.