Illinois nursing homes are reporting shockingly low vaccination rates among employees. A recent study by the Illinois Department of Public Health found that about 75% of workers at long-term care facilities have not been vaccinated against Covid, despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The survey was conducted during this season, but it’s still worth noting because even if you’re already vaccinated this year, it may not protect you due to changes in vaccine immunity.
Why should employees at home care facilities consider vaccinations?
Home nursing facilities are designed to help older adults. The CDC considers that people over 65 are more at risk of getting ill or dying than other populations, but some employees have not been vaccinated against it.
This is partly due to a lack of awareness about vaccine benefits and cost concerns, according to comments made by nurses who participated in focus groups associated with the study.
75% of these employees are the ones taking care of the infirmed population. They are considered first contact and should not be sick. It is the responsibility of every employee to get vaccinated against these diseases, even if they live healthy lives and do not go into nursing homes daily.
Families place their elderly in nursing homes as they cannot take care of them anymore or are no longer safe at home. It is the responsibility of these facilities to ensure that their employees are healthy and protected against diseases like Covid so as not to spread it around.
For those with additional concerns on the welfare of loved ones in the home, some nurses specialize in geriatric care to help provide better attention. You may also check the top Illinois Nursing Home Lawyer to offer helpful tips to ensure your loved one receives the best services and attention.
What are the effects of low-rate vaccinations on the elderly?
Since older adults are more susceptible to many diseases, especially in a nursing home where the risk of contracting infections is higher than ever, vaccination rates should be very high.
This will prevent the spread of diseases and help keep the elderly safe. Some of the benefits of considering vaccinations for particular illnesses include:
- Increase in life expectancy
- Decrease in severity of conditions or symptoms associated with specific diseases.
- Prevention of the spread of certain contagious infections.
- Protection against other illnesses caused by the same virus or bacteria causing a particular infection.
- Decrease in hospitalization rates and severity of associated complications.
- Prevention against death.
Most home care workers didn’t get their vaccines yet due to a lack of awareness and a concern that their chances for employment will be hurt.
This is why it’s so important to share this information with home care workers and those who work in other healthcare settings such as nursing homes or hospitals. It can have a tremendous impact on the health and safety of our older population. In addition, it can also help reduce the cost of healthcare for everyone.
One way to improve vaccination rates is by implementing mandatory policies that require all employees who work with patients or residents in a medical setting, regardless of age, to be vaccinated.
When vaccines are given at a higher rate among health care workers, it can help protect those who are most vulnerable–the elderly.
Nursing homes must be protected against Covid
Nursing home care facilities should also be a top priority when it comes to vaccinating employees.
The same goes for other healthcare facilities such as emergency rooms, primary medical care offices, and urgent care centres where patients come in with a wide variety of infectious diseases that can quickly spread from one patient to another.
Vaccines are created to protect the elderly and everyone from diseases. Therefore, they must be administered to those who work with them. This protects the most vulnerable.
Nursing homes play a pivotal role in the healthcare of our ageing population. They care for frail patients, putting them at increased risk for dangerous infections that can be easily transmitted from one patient to another. Our elderly deserve nothing but the best.
National statistics show that 59% of these facilities have already got their shots when compared to the 80% of Illinois residents. However, the campaign is still in tight progress.
Employees in these care facilities should be vaccinated so that patients can benefit from the protection they provide, whether it’s for themselves or other people who might come into contact with them outside their facility.
Final thoughts
As the world continues to cope with the changes due to the ageing population and Covid, the healthcare industry will be responsible for taking good care of our elderly. One effective way to do this is by increasing vaccination rates among health care workers.
Nursing homes should also be a top priority when vaccinating employees so they can take good care of their patients and keep them safe.
Robert Haynes did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health and well-being.
