Omicron poses added threat to seniors, KU doctors offer advice
Doctors at the University of Kansas Health System say that the highly contagious omicron variant poses a risk to senior citizens in the Kansas City area and beyond. Obtaining a booster shot is especially critical for older adults to avoid the worst effects of the virus.
Omicron poses a danger to seniors
“[Seniors] are going to be the folks who struggle the most with omicron because their immune systems may not have the same memory, they may not have the same ability to respond back,” said Dr. Steven Stites, chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System at a briefing on Wednesday. “So omicron can be especially a threat.”
On Monday, Dec. 13, the New York Times reported that one in every 100 of the nation’s seniors has died of COVID-19. Despite being one of the most vaccinated age groups, adults over the age of 65 make up around three quarters of all pandemic deaths in the United States.
“That is a staggering thing to say out loud as someone who has practiced medicine for 35 years,” said Stites.
Boosters matter, especially for seniors
Dr. Jessica Kalender-Rich, a geriatric specialist at the University of Kansas Health System, added that while around 80% of seniors are vaccinated in the Kansas City area, only around 60% of those have received a booster shot. That makes the fully vaccinated and boosted number only around 48%, or less than half of all seniors in the area.
“There’s a distinct difference between those who are fully vaccinated and boosted… compared to even those who are not boosted,” she said. “Data that came out in the last month showed that… 69% of [vaccinated seniors] had no evidence of antibodies at that six month peak. And so we really, really have to get these folks boosted.”
People of all ages can find a vaccine or booster shot for free in Kansas City here. Homebound Kansas City residents can also request a home vaccination or booster visit by calling the KC Shepard Center at 816-444-1121. Wyandotte County residents can click here to apply for a home visit.
Nursing homes operating on vaccine honor system
Kalender-Rich noted that state laws make it difficult for nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to require vaccinations of their residents, visitors and staff. Illness among staff is exacerbating a larger workforce problem in nursing homes, some of which have had to send nurses to nearby hospitals to assist with their own staffing shortages.
“The vaccination rates in the state of Kansas are 76% for nursing facility staff. Booster rates are 28%,” she said. “So we are really worried about staffing buildings, we are worried about staffing bringing it in.”
With no legally enforced safety precautions in place, senior living facilities can only ask visitors to exercise caution and postpone visits to their loved ones if they may be infected or sick. If you’re planning to visit a loved one in a nursing home, it’s a good idea to take an at-home COVID-19 test or get tested at a local clinic before you go.
Despite rising case numbers, Kalender-Rich said that senior living facilities are better equipped now than before to continue the fight against the virus. “I really do think we have the ability to be in a better place as we move forward if we all work together,” she said.
Do you have more questions about staying safe from COVID-19 in Kansas City? Ask our Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com or fill out the form below.
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