male patient about to get COVID vaccine from healthcare worker

A newly released  poll of seniors suggests most are giving a thumbs-up to the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.

The National Poll on Healthy Aging at the University of Michigan found 61% of 2,150 seniors surveyed last month said the vaccine should definitely be required for all healthcare workers. An additional 19% said it should probably be required. 

“As our country tries to get the coronavirus under control, it’s important that health care employers and health providers hear the voices of those who are most likely to turn to them for help,” survey leader Preeti Malani, M.D.,said. “Those voices, overwhelmingly, are saying, ‘Please get vaccinated to protect your patients and yourself.’

The survey also found that Black and Hispanic respondents were more adamant than whites about healthcare workers getting the shots. It also revealed the highest percentage of respondents opposed to healthcare workers getting vaccinated lived in the Midwest.

The Biden administration announced a vaccine mandate last week that requires workers at agencies receiving Medicare or Medicaid dollars be vaccinated against the coronavirus. The requirement could impact up to 17 million workers, including those who are employed in home care.