Guelph is making impressive strides in COVID-19 vaccination rates among long-term care and retirement homes, outpacing the provincial average. According to the latest report from Wellington-Dufferin Guelph Public Health, local vaccination rates for residents in retirement homes hit an average of 71% in 2024, while long-term care homes recorded a rate of 67%.

Although these figures show a small decline from 2023—when vaccination rates were at 75% for retirement homes and 74% for long-term care facilities—they remain significantly higher than the provincial averages. Currently, the provincial figures stand alarmingly lower, with only 54.5% of residents in long-term care homes and 50.5% in retirement homes receiving their COVID vaccinations.

The report links the local decline in uptake to a phenomenon commonly known as "vaccine fatigue," a growing apathy towards vaccination as the pandemic stretches on. This trend isn’t restricted to COVID-19; flu vaccination rates have also dipped. In 2024, 80% of long-term care residents received their flu shot, while the figure for retirement homes reached 85%, down from previous highs of 87% and 90% respectively in 2023.

When it comes to staff vaccinations, the numbers are concerning. Only about 60% of staff in these facilities have been vaccinated against the flu, raising alarms about the potential risk to both residents and staff. In stark contrast, Fox Run Retirement Home, Hamilton’s Hometown Retirement Living, and Morriston Park Nursing Home proudly report a 100% vaccination rate among their staff. On the other end of the spectrum, Guelph Heritage House LTC Inc. and St. Joseph’s Health Centre have shockingly low immunization rates, with only 21% of their staff vaccinated.

The report highlights the possibility that actual vaccination rates for staff could be even lower, as many employees choose not to disclose their vaccination status, complicating data collection efforts.

In response to these challenges, Wellington-Dufferin Guelph Public Health plans to engage directly with each home to tackle the barriers to increased vaccination rates. They will be implementing targeted outreach programs specifically aimed at those facilities with lower uptake.

With the battle against COVID-19 still ongoing and the impending flu season approaching, improving vaccination rates in these critical settings remains an urgent public health priority. The community is being called to action to remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding the health of its most vulnerable residents.