AMDA Members Contribute to Study’s Success
AMDA members have worked to proactively address the COVID-19 pandemic and protect residents and empower practitioners and staff. You also have stepped up and taken a lead role on another pressing issue. Thanks to you, an important study about the impact of the annual influenza vaccine choice on long-term care facilities is fully recruited for this year—with over 1,000 facilities participating. The Foundation received $100 for each participant to support its important work, including the Futures Program, awards program, helping health care workers, and more.
Study lead investigator Ed Davidson, PharmD, MPH, partner at Therapeutic Insights, says, “Infectious diseases in nursing homes are at an all-time high in terms of interest and focus, and we have seen a renewed interest in influenza vaccines.” He is hearing from participants at facility chains that they think staff will be more interested in getting vaccinations. This is partly because there is growing awareness due to the COVID-19 pandemic about respiratory infections and how they spread. “Staff members want to protect their own health and that of residents and others,” Dr. Davidson says.
“We couldn’t do this study without the Foundation,” says Dr. Davidson. “AMDA is recognized internationally as providing leadership and guidance on long-term care and nursing homes. The organization’s willingness to join with us and get the word out about this study has contributed significantly to the overall effort.”.