The more contagious omicron variant has reached Indiana. That’s causing fear among advocates for residents in long-term care facilities.
The new variant is concerning because of mutations that make it more likely to attach itself to cells and evade vaccine protection—especially in those who have not received a booster shot. Those characteristics make outbreaks more likely in long-term care facilities and other group living settings.
While new cases among facility residents and staff have up ticked only slightly in recent weeks, concern remains over the number of staff—and residents—who have received a booster.
Currently, 62 percent of long-term care residents have received a booster.
"We're in an environment where, unfortunately, it's not something that the general public has really taken hold of, and support," Zach Cattell, president of Indiana’s Health Care Association (IHCA), said.
IHCA is trade group represents more than 480 long-term care facilities
"The staff vaccination rate needs to improve," he said. "We've known that it's much better than what we're seeing in the general population, or Indiana, I think it's in the bottom five in the country."
The percentage of staff that have received a booster, however, is significantly lower. Only 17.8 percent of staff working in long-term care facilities are boosted, according to CDC data released last week. That’s slightly more than the state’s general population, but is slightly lower than the national average.
Sarah Waddle, the state director at AARP Indiana, worries about the low number of residents—and staff—that have received a booster dose.
"What we're hearing from the public health officials is, after about six months, you need to get a booster to make sure that you're still protected."
