Residents and employees of long-term care facilities face especially high risk for coronavirus transmission, and nursing homes have seen several COVID-19 outbreaks.

Yet a CDC study shows alarmingly low vaccination rates among facility staff.

From mid-December to mid-January, the public-private Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program provided onsite COVID-19 vaccinations to more than 11,000 facilities.

During that month, a median of 78% of residents got vaccinated, compared to less than 38% of staff.

Previous surveys show little confidence among health care workers in the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

But high staff turnover and hectic work schedules — sometimes involving shifts at multiple facilities — also may have limited vaccination prospects.

The authors call for expanded, and more focused, staff outreach.

→ Q&AZ: What You Need To Know About Getting The Coronavirus Vaccine In Arizona