Enlivant announced Friday that 90% of its workers and residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19 through its “Together We Can Do It” campaign.
The Chicago-based senior living operator, which has 216 communities in 26 states, announced mandatory staff vaccinations in March, with a goal of having most of its staff vaccinated by June 1. Almost 80% of staff and residents were vaccinated by March 3. Several of its communities are reporting a 100% staff vaccination rate, according to the company.
“Our company’s purpose and culture are built on the safety and well-being of our people, and one of our top goals was to vaccinate all eligible employees and residents,” Enlivant CEO Dan Guill said in a statement. “Without a doubt, vaccinations are the most effective way we can protect our Enlivant family and now we can confidently say that our communities are among the most protected against COvID-19 in assisted living and memory care.”
The company is planning community celebrations to mark the “health and safety milestone.”
Enlivant will continue to mandate employee vaccination with a goal of 100%. A spokesman said, however, that some state laws restrict vaccination efforts, and some employees have received work accommodations.
Enlivant is No. 10 on the 2020 ASHA 50 list of largest senior living operators by the American Seniors Housing Association and No. 11 on Argentum’s 2020 list of largest senior living providers.
To date, these and possibly other providers are requiring COVID vaccines of employees: ALG Senior, American House Senior Living Communities, The Arbor Co., Atria Senior Living, Benchmark Senior Living, Civitas Senior Living, Five Star Senior Living, Juniper Communities, Integral Senior Living, Masonicare, Retirement Center Management, Silverado and Sunrise Senior Living. Other operators have said they will consider a mandate if the vaccines receive full approval.
Continuing Healthcare Solutions, an Ohio assisted living and skilled nursing operator, announced in March that it would require employee vaccination but last week said that it now plans to wait until the vaccinations receive full federal approval before enforcing its inoculation mandate for employees.
