Coronavirus: One in five older adults still not vaccinated

The New York Times reports that one in five older adults still are not vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. All are eligible for free vaccines. Now that states have opened up vaccines to everyone over 16, some worry it will make it harder for older adults to get vaccinated.

The US started providing residents vaccines in December, beginning with people in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Today, about two in three people have had at least one shot. But, because of kinks in the system, many have not.

People in many places around the country are finding it challenging to schedule a vaccine. People might live on the border of another state, for example, but might not be eligible for the vaccine in that state. Older adults, particularly the most vulnerable of them, are struggling more than others to schedule appointments.

The good news is that a higher proportion of older adults have been vaccinated than any other subpopulation in the US. The bad news is that one in five of them–20 percent–still have not received a single vaccine dose, even though they are the most likely people to develop grave complications if they become infected with COVID-19. One in three people who have died of COVID are older adults living in long-term care facilities.

At the urging of President Joe Biden, all states are now opening up eligibility for the vaccine to everyone 16 and older. They are no longer putting vulnerable older adults or essential workers the people who are most at risk, at the front of the line. And, more people are receiving vaccine doses on a daily basis, 3.2 million a day on average, up from 2.2 million a day.

Unlike in some other countries where homebound elderly are able to get the vaccine in their homes, the overwhelming majority of older adults in the US must travel to get the vaccine. So, even if they can schedule an appointment, they might not be able to get to a vaccine site. Some older adults fear the risk of exposure o from going to a large vaccine site. And, some can’t get a vaccine because of limited supplies in their area.

It would be interesting to know how well Medicare Advantage plan members are doing in terms of getting a vaccine. Are Medicare Advantage plans helping vulnerable older adults schedule appointments and travel to them? What can we learn from them? Their silence on this issue suggests they are not helping to ensure their members are vaccinated.

Not surprisingly, people living in counties that supported President Trump’s reelection are less likely to be getting vaccinated. The only good news here is that older Republicans are more inclined to get vaccinated than their younger counterparts. And, of course, they are more at risk.