Huge numbers of employees at New York nursing homes still haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 according to The New York Post.
The vaccination rates among workers drastically fall behind that of vulnerable residents at the same facilities. Data shows more than 60 percent of staffers at some nursing homes are refusing to get the jab, The Post reports. Advocates warn it could impede their ability to visit loved ones in the homes.
“If staffers choose not to get the vaccine, they should find another line of work,” said Vivian Zayas, founder of Voices for Seniors, whose mom, Ana Martinez, died after contracting COVID-19 at a Long Island nursing home last year.
“If they want to work in a nursing home, they should get the vaccine.”
- Advocates for nursing home residents said the low number of vaccinated staffers is a serious problem. Presently, nursing homes could be fully or partially closed to visitation if just one person in the facility tests positive for COVID-19.