Coronavirus vaccines going unused at nursing homes in several states are now being redirected in an effort to put doses into the arms of more seniors and eligible workers in other settings.
Maine, Michigan, Minnesota and Oklahoma have each revised their vaccination strategies by either reclaiming unused shots from long-term care facilities or stopping allocations until more doses are used up by other essential workers, according to a report by Politico. New York officials last week announced similar plans.
State officials said they hope taking such steps clears the path for more other people over 65 and other high-risk groups to get the vaccine sooner.
Oklahoma paused allocations to nursing homes for two weeks in order to provide an additional 21,450 doses for seniors ages 65 or older who are now eligible in the state. Minnesota is directing 30,000 of unused doses from the long-term care program toward teachers and childcare providers, while Michigan and Maine have both redistributed thousands of doses to go toward other healthcare providers.
LeadingAge said it’s not aware of doses being diverted from residents and staff who have already been scheduled to receive vaccines. The group’s primary concern is that long-term care remains a top priority, LeadingAge said in a statement to McKnight’s on Tuesday.
“If these reallocations mean that residents and workers in nursing homes and assisted living are not prioritized, that would be concerning,” the group said.
“At the same time, it is important to remember that millions of older adults who do not live in those settings are also vulnerable, as are their care workers,” LeadingAge added. “The pressing question is: How will we – providers, policymakers and other stakeholders — ensure these millions of at-risk older adults, as well as those who care for them, get vaccines?”
LeadingAge also pointed out that more than 9 million others are involved in home care, hospice, home- and community-based services or seniors housing.
States also stressed that the revisions to their vaccination plans won’t hinder the ability to vaccinate long-term residents and that their plans must be approved by the federal government.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it’s working with states on the changes to vaccine allocations to help determine where the doses are appropriate.
