After a period of decline, COVID-19 cases are once again increasing in nursing homes across the United States, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In the first two weeks of June 2024, rates of infection among both staff and residents surged by approximately 30% compared to the four weeks ending May 26.
At the same time, vaccination rates declined in these facilities. As of the week ending May 26, only 30% of nursing home residents and a mere 10% of staff were up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. These figures, which are self-reported weekly by facilities to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mark the third consecutive year of a decline in vaccination rates.
In May 2023, 55% of residents and 22% of staff were up to date on COVID-19 vaccination. That compares to May 2022, when 72% of residents and 48% of staff were up to date on COVID-19 vaccination and had at least one booster. In June of 2021, 78% of residents and 57% of staff were fully vaccinated.
The rise in COVID-19 cases, meanwhile, reverses a steady decline in numbers. Nursing home resident and staff cases and resident deaths decreased by almost 90% between the winter peak in December and January.
These updates and additional data are illustrated on the AARP Nursing Home COVID-19 Dashboard, with interactive charts and graphics to illustrate national developments. The goal, AARP states, is to provide four-week snapshots of the virus’ impact on nursing homes, tracking five categories of impact and vaccination rates that are updated quarterly to monitor trends over time.
AARP plans to publish a detailed blog post addressing the declining rates of staff and resident vaccinations against COVID-19. The report will also demonstrate that facilities with higher vaccination rates experience notably fewer cases and deaths.
