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Improving Maine's COVID-19 Booster Rate for Residents

Since the start of the latest Biden Administration campaign to promote booster vaccines, Maine's LTC facility resident booster rate has risen by approximately 5%. Despite this progress, Maine is still below the national average, and more than half of residents do not have the latest booster. 

COVID-19 boosters are proven effective in protecting individuals from serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Improving Maine's LTC booster rate will improve our residents' safety as well as further our partnership with national leaders. 

In addition to vaccinating residents, it is crucial to ensure the data is accurately submitted. Facilities are encouraged to verify the accuracy of your posted vaccination and booster rates, which can be found on the CMS COVID-19 data website. If not accurate, you can check your NHSN reporting process and update your NHSN vaccination data for the next reporting period. If the posted rates are low, facilities should prepare for outreach from the state survey agencies to ensure compliance with QSO-21-19-NH.

Related resources
  • AHCA/NCAL has developed a new #GetVaccinated handout to help long term care staff discuss the value of the bivalent booster with their residents. 
  • White House Releases Winter Playbook for LTC: The Biden Administration recently announced a COVID-19 Winter Preparedness plan, which involves several strategies to expand access to testing, vaccines, and treatments. Read More
  • CDC Expands COVID-19 Provider Vaccine Agreements to LTC Facilities: The CDC is now allowing LTC pharmacies to transfer COVID-19 vaccine/boosters to LTC facilities in single dose vials to directly vaccinate residents and staff by waiving some of the reporting requirements LTC pharmacies had to follow. This move comes after strong advocacy by AHCA/NCAL. Read More 
  • COVID-19 Vaccination and Therapeutics in PALTC Toolkit: Resources for Clinicians
Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org

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