Identifying strategies that promote staff and resident influenza and COVID-19 vaccination in nursing homes: Perspectives from nursing home staff

• Published in: Geriatric nursing (New York) 2023-11, Vol.54, p.205-210
• Main Authors: Gadbois, Emily A., Meehan, Amy, Uth, Rebecca, Baier, Rosa R., Gravenstein, Stefan, Zullo, Andrew R., Kabler, Heidi, Loiacono, Matthew M., Bardenheier, Barbara H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; Influenza; Nursing homes; Strategies; Vaccination
• ISSN: 0197-4572; 1528-3984; 1528-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.09.006

•Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination are critical to infection control in nursing homes.•We examined strategies to promote nursing home resident and staff vaccination.•Strategies include individualized education, incentives, and “vaccine champions”. Resident and staff influenza and COVID-19 vaccination are critical components of infection prevention in nursing homes. Our study sought to characterize strategies that nursing home staff use to promote vaccination. Twenty-six telephone/videoconference interviews were conducted with administrators, directors of nursing, infection preventionists, and Minimum Data Set coordinators at 14 nursing homes across the US. Transcripts were analyzed using content analysis and a detailed audit trail was maintained. Staff described resident and staff influenza and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and confidence as well as varying approaches to promote vaccination. These included incentives, education efforts, and having a “vaccine champion” responsible for vaccine promotion. While many strategies had been in place prior to COVID-19 in support of improving influenza vaccination, participants reported implementing additional approaches to promote COVID-19 vaccination. Findings may inform future efforts to promote vaccination, which will be critical to mitigate the burden of influenza and COVID-19 in nursing homes.