Senior Living Providers Express Concern as States Redirect COVID Vaccines Elsewhere

As states are pressured to get shots into arms more quickly, some governors and public health officials are rerouting COVID-19 vaccine doses earmarked for assisted living communities and nursing homes back to states.

The governments of Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Utah are redirecting or reserving doses originally meant for long-term care facilities until those facilities use up the doses they have on hand, according to Politico.

American Seniors Housing Association President David Schless said that although the federal long-term care vaccination program has experienced “fits and starts and is not moving necessarily as quickly as we would all like to see,” it is progressing.

Schless said ASHA’s focus remains on advocating for vaccination for independent living residents and encouraging senior living staff members to get vaccinated.

“I am going to remain optimistic,” he said. “I think we’ll see the supply of the vaccine pick up, hopefully, in the coming weeks, which will be helpful for all of us. But, certainly, we want to see these communities get these clinics scheduled so residents and staff can get back to some sense of normalcy.”

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