AARP Illinois Applauds Biden Administration Requirement for Vaccinations in Nursing Homes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Aug. 18, 2021

CONTACT:

Vikki Ortiz, Illinois Communications Director
630-915-3625
vortiz@aarp.org

Lori Hendren, Associate State Director of Advocacy and Outreach
217-553-9156
lhendren@aarp.org

AARP Illinois Applauds Biden Administration Requirement for Vaccinations in Nursing Homes

Chicago, Ill. -  AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo issued the following statement today in response to the Biden Administration directing all nursing homes that receive Medicare or Medicaid funds to require vaccinations for all staff:

“Throughout the course of this pandemic, AARP Illinois has advocated tirelessly for nursing homes to vaccinate staff, residents, and visitors to ensure the health, safety and quality of life for our state’s most vulnerable residents.

Tragically, only 26.3% of Illinois nursing homes have achieved the 75% staff vaccination benchmark. In contrast, the nursing home residents they care for are vaccinated at a rate of 83.8%.

AARP Illinois believes the Administration’s directive is an important step in closing this dangerous gap and providing nursing home residents, their loved ones, family caregivers, and communities hope for brighter and healthier days ahead.”

Gallo’s comment for AARP Illinois echoes a statement released by AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond, which can be viewed here.

AARP Nursing Home COVID-19 Dashboard analyzes federally reported data about COVID cases in nursing homes by state.  The complete Nursing Home COVID-19 Dashboard is available at www.aarp.org/nursinghomedashboard. 

For more information on how COVID impacts nursing homes and AARP’s advocacy on this issue, visit www.aarp.org/nursinghomes.

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