Vaccination Mandate For NH Staff Under Fire and Debate

Jo C.

Nursing homes are beginning to see an upsurge in patients becoming positive for the COVID mutated Delta virus.  This is seen even in patients who have been vaccinated.   In several NHs fully, vaccinated patients have contracted the Delta virus and have died.   The single place the exposure came from appears to be from unvaccnated staff.

Some NHs want to mandate staff vaccinations, but say they cannot as they are already low on staff and more staff would leave: Yet; some NHs have been successful.  If the govt. made a mandate for those working with and caring for vulnerable patients especially those in NHs, Acute Hospitals, Home Health, Hospice, etc.; then there would be no place for the unvaccnated workers to find work; no place to hide.  Even care aides hired privately in the home would have to vaccinate under such a mandate; but it is such a political issue, I am not holding my breath. Here is the link:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/nursing-homes-confront-covid-outbreaks-180803580.html

J.

dayn2nite2

Even fast food pays more than an hourly aide.  Expect those who choose not to get vaccinated to leave caregiving completely.  These facilities know that, too.

tdnp

First of all I am not in the health care field.

I am 100% against forcing anyone to take any medication (a vaccination is medication).  Why can I, as an adult, refuse medication but not a vaccination?  I understand that there may be an argument that it is causing injury\illness to others.  To me, this is only loosely valid, I can refuse other contagious vaccinations I.E. the flu, Chickenpox, Measles, Mumps, Whooping Cough. Additionally there are safe guards that have been put in place for containment, Masks, air quality, sanitation, distance all, have been proven to lessen the transmission and effective in limiting the spread. 

Also, to add, the vaccination is an experimental drug.  To my knowledge the FDA has not approved it outside of emergency use.  I have been in positions where I HAD to take experimental drugs (US Army, to "protect" from Chemical attacks) which, I believe, I am still am having health issues from.  

Addationaly,  the pressure to have more people vaccinated is also a financial push from the manufactures.  They are making huge profits from this vaccination and If it was for the greater good it would be open source and anyone could manufacture it. (this would greatly increase the speed in which the WORLD can get the vaccination.  As of today the preponderance of people who have received the vaccination (or has even the option to receive) is in 1st world countries. (again where the money is at).  

Finally, I am not anti-vax.  I very much support the science.  This and all medical treatment is a matter of personal choice.  

And yes, I am vaccinated (as well as 3 others in my close family).  Yes, I have had Covid (along with the 3 previously mentions, one was nearing a sever case). Yes, I have lost people that I know. At the end of the day, I weighed my options, looked a the science, consulted those that I love and trust and ELECTED to protect myself and those close to me.

The4thOne

I'm not going to add to the controversy over this very sensitive issue, I can only share the steps I have taken.  

My mother is in a NH and they test every week. I talk to the nurse manager weekly, and ask if the persons taking care of my mother each shift has been vaccinated, and if my mother has been exposed to any who tested positives.  Originally, she was hesitant, but we worked through that ending 'if this is too much to ask, let me know and we will move my mother to another facility.' Yes, I will take it there as I am a cooperative, understanding, but unapologetic 'you are accountable' advocate for my mother. Administratively, I understand all of the pressures of staffing, shareholder value, and how 2020 was a financial toilet for many nursing homes, how they need to get capacity up by filling beds, in order to start being profitable... all of that. I am also closely following what Jo C shared, as we all should, which is why transparency is of the utmost for me. I don't know what works for the other 114 beds, but #115, that's Dorothy, and her daughter may drop in unannounced, asking questions and wanting notes.  

For those who take care of my mother, I often bring $5 gift cards from Dunkin' Donuts or WaWa, and say, 'have a cup of coffee and a donut on me.'  I know they aren't supposed to accept gifts, but I do appreciate that they are underpaid and are being stretched.  They are VERY grateful for just that little acknowledgement.  And believe me, anyone taking care of my mother deserves an extra Thank You.  All to say, when I call and talk to the nurse manager, I know the names of the CNA's, and cleaning persons and they all have comfortably shared their status, because they know I care from my mothers health, but theirs as well.  If someone rotates out or quits, the others willingly let the new person know that I will be asking and it's OK.  The grapevine is still the most effective form of getting information shared.