SCAN Considers Caregiver Hesitancy in Vaccine Efforts

As supply and scheduling issues have created slowdowns in COVID-19 vaccinations across the country, Medicare Advantage insurers are naturally concerned about their vulnerable senior members and are taking part in numerous partnerships to reach members and the broader community. But a new survey from SCAN Health Plan suggested another cause for concern: the hesitancy of senior caregivers to receive and/or take their seniors get a vaccine, which was especially evident in communities of color.

In a survey of 1,000 individuals who provide care for a family member older than 65, the Long Beach, Calif.-based MA insurer found that 71% have safety doubts about the COVID-19 vaccines that have been granted Emergency Use Authorization. Moreover, 31% of family caregivers who live in rural communities said they won’t take their older adult for the COVID-19 vaccine — nearly double the refusal rate of urban and suburban caregivers (16%).

© 2023 MMIT
Lauren Flynn Kelly

Lauren Flynn Kelly Managing Editor, Radar on Medicare Advantage

Lauren has been covering health business issues, including drug benefits and specialty pharmacy, for more than a decade. She served as editor of Drug Benefit News (the predecessor to Radar on Drug Benefits) from 2004 to 2005 and again from 2011 to 2016, and now manages Radar on Medicare Advantage. Lauren graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in English.

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