Only 50 percent of nursing home residents in Maine have received the latest COVID vaccine, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s down from 90 percent just over a year ago.
A new analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation said one reason for declining vaccination rates is the absence of federal initiatives such as clinics.
Angela Westhoff, CEO of the Maine Health Care Association, said another factor is vaccine fatigue.
“As we have seen cases of COVID come down and the mortality rate has dropped dramatically from where we were at the height of the pandemic, sometimes that equates to people not being interested or as interested in getting another vaccine or a booster to up to date on their shots,” she said.
Maine’s 50 percent nursing home vaccination rate is lower than the 76 percent in Vermont, but higher than the U.S. average of 40 percent.
Westhoff said the association is currently working with Maine’s long-term care ombudsman on a campaign to boost vaccinations at long term care facilities.
This article appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.
