The holiday season is one of the most rewarding times of the year in nursing homes. Festive decorations, special meals, family gatherings and community engagement bring us together in a special way. It’s a time of connection and celebration — but also a season of heightened risk for respiratory illnesses.
While cold and flu season can start as early as October and continue into May, the peak is between December and February. Colder temperatures and indoor/holiday gatherings make it easier for viruses to spread. And we know that seniors are at a higher risk of complications and more severe outcomes when they come down with these kinds of viruses. That’s why reviewing vaccination efforts should be an integral part of every provider’s holiday preparations.
At the Good Samaritan Society, we prioritize vaccinations at our 133 skilled nursing facilities because high uptake correlates with reduced symptom severity and better outcomes for residents. Starting in late summer, our teams engage in daily conversations about vaccination planning and throughout the fall implement a variety of best practices to vaccinate as many residents as possible.
This approach has worked. Our resident vaccination rates for flu, COVID-19 and pneumococcal are all above industry averages. For flu, we maintain 80% uptake through the season, with some facilities reaching 100% year after year.