Vaccination rates for long-term care (LTC) residents are lagging at a time when respiratory illness is on the rise. 

COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents were up 43% this summer over last summer. According to an AARP report, resident deaths from the virus increased fivefold between May and August of this year – from roughly 100 to 500 – and this is occurring as the country heads into respiratory virus season.  

In a recent study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, residency in an LTC facility was found to be an important risk factor for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) hospitalization. Residents of skilled nursing and assisted living communities represent an important intersection of risk factors: older age, multimorbidity, and frailty.

These findings underscore the need for ramped up efforts to get LTC residents – who are at increased risk for illness and death from respiratory illnesses – vaccinated this respiratory season.

Yet an even greater number of older adults than last year do not plan to get vaccinated. According to a National Foundation for Infectious Diseases survey, only 21% aged 75 or more years and adults aged 60 to 74 years with targeted risk factors indicated that they intend to get that vaccine this year. Of survey respondents at higher risk for COVID-19-related complications (adults 65 years or older and those with a chronic health condition), just 51% said they planned to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

The survey data reveals that vaccine confidence plays a major role in vaccination intent for flu, COVID-19, RSV and pneumococcal disease. Those who said they do not plan to get vaccinated often expressed worry about potential side effects or a general distrust of vaccines. 

The report highlighted an “urgent need” for greater vaccine education and awareness.