03/19/2026

Study Finds Vaccination Gaps in Assisted Living Linked to Higher Hospitalization Risk

Assisted living communities are less likely than nursing homes to offer vaccination programs beyond influenza and COVID-19—and more likely to report hospital transfers for vaccine-preventable illnesses—according to new research from Miami University’s Scripps Gerontology Center. The Ohio-based study found lower coverage for vaccines such as shingles, Tdap, RSV, pneumococcal, and hepatitis B in assisted living, alongside higher reported hospitalization risk across all conditions studied.

Researchers point to structural differences, including fewer clinical resources, staffing challenges, and payment complexity, as contributing factors. The findings suggest that expanding vaccination programs, strengthening staff education, and addressing access barriers could reduce hospitalizations and improve outbreak prevention in assisted living settings. Read more in the original article in Mcknight’s.