Saying nearly eight-in-ten nursing home staff have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the associate deputy minister of long-term care has sent operators a memo adding it varies widely among the homes.

Erin Hannah suggests operators have one-on-one conversations with all staff, hold clinics on-site and offer paid time off and transportation to clinics.

A spokesperson for minister Merrilee Fullerton says people are hesitant to get a shot for many reasons and that the ministry is strongly encouraging all nursing home staff get inoculated.