At yesterday’s Department of Public Health meeting the Public Health Council (PHC) responded to DPH data on the 2023-2024 Healthcare Personnel COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination in Health Care Facilities. Nursing home vaccination rates lagged other health care providers in the States, which prompted concern from several PHC members arguing that the rates are unjustifiable and disturbing for health care providers, signaling additional action is possible.
The State’s goal for 2023-2024 is to achieve a 90% for health care personnel. Unfortunately, nursing homes did not meet the flu vaccination goal for 2023-2024 achieving 58%, compared to 62% in 2022-2023 and below acute care hospitals 89.4%, non-acute care hospitals 80%, ambulatory surgical centers 81.1%, clinics 62.5%, rest homes 72.1% and hospice providers 60.6%.
For the COVID-19 vaccination, the State’s goal for 2023-2024 is to achieve a 90% for health care personnel. Unfortunately, nursing homes did not meet the COVID-19 vaccination goal for 2023-2024 achieving18.5%, and below acute care hospitals 20.2%, ambulatory surgical centers 48.5%, clinics 51.3%, rest homes 68.7&, hospice providers 58%, adult day health 53.1% and EMS 21.2%.
Table 1: Statewide HCP Vaccination Rates by Facility Type
Source: Massachusetts DPH presentation to Public Health Council 8.14.24