March 19, 2021 Marti Bowman
OnShift Survey Highlights Need for Increased
Vaccine Supply and Further Staff Education to Meet Growing Demand
Cleveland, OH – March 19, 2021 – OnShift®, a leader in human capital
management software for post-acute care and senior living, today
announced the results of recent surveys it conducted to capture the intent of
senior care employees related to the COVID-19 vaccine. The research shows a
major shift in employee acceptance from the initial survey in December 2020 to
the March 2021 findings, with a 94% increase in willingness to take the vaccine
and a 41% decrease in plans to decline.
In
addition to vaccination plans, the March 2021 survey examined the reasons
behind vaccination decisions and explored employee perceptions of the value of
vaccine education. Additional key findings include:
·
The respondents’
primary reasons for vaccination are to help prevent infection in family and
friends (30%), to avoid getting COVID-19 themselves (13%) and to put an end to
community lockdowns, gathering restrictions and/or virtual schooling (12%).
·
The respondents’
primary reasons for declining vaccination include concerns that the vaccine is
too new (26%) and potential safety and side effects (23%). Another 10% believe
getting the vaccine is unnecessary because they have already had COVID-19.
·
Respondents cited the
need for additional education on the safety and side effects of the vaccine
(28%), how the vaccine works in protecting against COVID-19 (15%) and what to
expect in the workplace if they decline the vaccine (14%).
·
62% of respondents expressed
their willingness to take the vaccine in the March 2021 survey, up from 32% in
December 2020.
“We
are encouraged to see this seismic shift across the industry in the acceptance
of the COVID-19 vaccine in just a few short months,” stated Mark Woodka, CEO of
OnShift. “This insight into the mindset of senior care employees is critical
information for providers and the industry as they continue staff outreach,
education and support. OnShift is dedicated to senior care organizations and
their employees, and we will continue working together to help ensure a
transparent and safe environment for everyone.”
“This
growing acceptance for the vaccines among long term care staff is extremely
encouraging and echoes what we have heard from providers across the country who
saw increasing uptake with each round of on-site vaccination clinics. Now, we
need public health officials to ensure long term care is prioritized for a
steady, ongoing allocation of vaccines for new hires and admissions as well as
current residents and staff who have since decided to get the vaccine. Through
AHCA/NCAL’s #GetVaccinated campaign, we are dedicated
to educating our staff about the safety of the vaccines and thoughtfully
listening to any of their concerns, so they can make an informed decision. The
nursing home industry set a nationwide goal to have 75
percent of staff vaccinated by the end of June, and knowing this new data, I’m
optimistic we’ll meet that goal. Our caregivers are eager to protect
themselves, their family members, and their residents, and these vaccines are a
beacon of hope,” said Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of the American Health
Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).
“This
is an important survey that provides useful information about vaccination
uptake in senior living and long term care settings. While we see evidence of
progress, the results reaffirm the importance of continued, targeted education
among those who work with older adults in these communities,” stated David
Schless, President, American Seniors Housing Association.
“We
are extremely pleased to see this substantial increase in intent by senior
living employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s been such a challenging year
for them, and their dedication to caring for and protecting those they serve
continues to shine through. We applaud them for their ongoing commitment,” said
James Balda, President and CEO, Argentum.
About
OnShift’s COVID-19 Vaccination Research
OnShift first conducted the senior care employee vaccine willingness survey
from December 4, 2020 – December 14, 2020, with over 6,000 respondents. The
second survey was conducted February 12, 2021 – March 5, 2021, with over 2,300
respondents. A summary of findings can be accessed here.
About
OnShift, Inc.
OnShift’s next-generation human capital management platform fundamentally
transforms the relationship between healthcare organizations and their
employees. Our innovative approach to recruitment, hiring, workforce management
and engagement fosters a culture where people want to work. That’s why
thousands of healthcare organizations rely on OnShift’s integrated suite of
software and services to dramatically reduce turnover rates, decrease costs and
improve the quality and continuity of care. For more information, visit www.onshift.com.
Contact
Marti Bowman
Chief Marketing Officer
OnShift, Inc.
mbowman@onshift.com
216.920.5038
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