While many see the COVID-19 vaccine as the light at the end of the tunnel for the pandemic, many nursing home and other post-acute and long-term care staffers are still hesitant to get vaccinated. For instance, Lori Porter, cofounder and CEO of the National Association of Health Care Assistants, says, “The number one thing CNAs need now is trusted information. Our polling shows that many CNAs say they won’t get vaccinated for various reasons. Among these, she explains, “They’re being told to take two days off work if they feel bad. But they can’t afford to do this, so they’re afraid to get the vaccine and miss work. It’s a horrible, gut-wrenching situation.”
Leslie Eber, MD, CMD, a Colorado-based physician and nursing home medical director, stresses the importance of listening and showing respect and empathy for staff who are vaccine hesitant. She says, “When you have a foundation of trust and leadership, you can always move from there. For medical directors who already have the trust of staff, it can be easier to have productive conversations.”
