Four Hamilton retirement homes grapple with staff vaccination as Omicron spreads
Some local retirement homes continue to face hurdles getting staff vaccinated as the province grapples with Omicron spread.
Four of Hamilton's 33 licensed retirement homes had fewer than 90 per cent staff vaccinated by November's end.
St. Elizabeth Retirement Residence still has the least percentage of staff vaccinated, according to recent numbers from the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility. The three others were Valley Town Residence (formerly Dundas Retirement Place), Meadowlands Retirement Residence and Residence on Aikman (formerly Northview Seniors Residence).
Vaccination isn't mandatory for retirement home staff like it is in long-term care, though both are congregate settings with vulnerable residents. Workers at retirement homes can attend an educational session on the vaccines in lieu of the shot, though homes may remove that option.
It's concerning with rising Omicron cases, which have the province speeding up third doses for all adults. Health-care workers are already eligible.
St. Elizabeth had 67 per cent of staff vaccinated, compared to 52 per cent reported the previous two months. But the home said those numbers are inaccurate because it includes staff who are on leave. The facility says its rate is 80 per cent and has reported the correction to the province.
In an email, St. Elizabeth's general manager said the home is helping staff access vaccine clinics, including one on-site Dec. 15 at which six staff got boosters.
The Valley Town Residence rate is 83 per cent, compared to 64 per cent reported in October. The home previously said agency staff were the bulk of those unvaccinated.
Residence on Aikman is at 88 per cent and Yvonne Dobronyi of LP Management Inc. said the residence is having daily meetings to promote vaccination.
The ministry said Residence on Catharine (formerly Cathmar Manor) didn't report its numbers to the RHRA for the second consecutive month, but Dobronyi said the home is at 100 per cent and has reported all its numbers and is following up with the RHRA. In September, the ministry said 50 per cent of the home's workers were vaccinated.
Meadowlands Retirement Residence had 87 per cent. Unvaccinated staff must complete education and meet with management monthly to review progress and address questions, said an email from the home's community director.
It's helped uptake, but those who are pregnant are hesitant," said Eve Korpa earlier this month. She noted other staff were concerned about reports of hospital workers hesitating from getting the shot.
Maria Iqbal covers aging issues for The Spectator. miqbal@thespec.com