Following the Long-Term Care Leadership Summit 3.0 that LeadingAge attended on July 18 at the White House, hosted by the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, LeadingAge sent a letter sharing feedback from our members about barriers to vaccinating residents and staff and strategies for increasing vaccine acceptance.

Members identified vaccine fatigue as one of the most significant barriers to vaccination for both residents and staff. Frequent updates to COVID vaccine recommendations over the past few years, recommendations for additional doses for certain populations, and recommendations for older adults to receive multiple types of respiratory virus vaccines in a season were all identified as contributing factors.

Members shared that influence of family and friends weighs heavily on residents’ and staff’s decisions about whether to accept vaccination, and logistical issues such as having access to vaccines on-site, being able to bill insurance for vaccines, and being able to access vaccines despite being uninsured or underinsured were also seen as barriers to vaccine acceptance.

Members reported engaging in multiple strategies to increase vaccine acceptance including on-site access to vaccines, providing education about vaccines, and addressing individuals on a one-to-one basis to discuss concerns and barriers.

Based on this feedback from members, LeadingAge made three recommendations to the Administration for increasing vaccine acceptance during the 2024/2025 respiratory virus season:

• Annual Vaccine Schedules: Many members felt that moving COVID vaccines to an annual schedule, consistent with flu vaccines, would help mitigate vaccine fatigue.
• Vaccine Access: Funding programs that provide access to vaccines for uninsured and underinsured individuals will ensure that vaccines are available for those who want them.
• Whole-of-system Approach: Health care providers throughout the system working together to address vaccine acceptance, residents and staff in long-term care will receive the consistent messaging and support they need to accept vaccination.

LeadingAge will continue to work with the Administration on vaccination and other issues in preparation for the 2024/2025 respiratory virus season.