COVID Vaccine Information

COVID Vaccine Updates

CMS Releases Vaccine Mandate Final Rule
On November 4, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released emergency regulations addressing COVID vaccination mandates for all health care agencies participating in Medicare & Medicaid programs. The emergency regulations are included in the November 5, 2021 Federal Register.

The requirements apply to: Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Hospices, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, Hospitals, Long Term Care facilities (as defined below), Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Home Health Agencies, Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities, Critical Access Hospitals, Clinics (rehabilitation agencies, and public health agencies as providers of outpatient physical therapy and speech-language pathology services), Community Mental Health Centers, Home Infusion Therapy suppliers, Rural Health Clinics/Federally Qualified Health Centers, and End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities.

Long term care facilities covered include all Medicare & Medicaid certified nursing facilities. Assisted living settings with or without Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) beneficiaries are not included in the rule, however may be impacted by the OSHA COVID-19 Employer Emergency Temporary Standards if they employ more than 100 staff members.

Facilities covered by this regulation must establish a policy ensuring all eligible staff have received the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine prior to providing any care, treatment, or other services by December 5, 2021. All eligible staff must have received the necessary shots to be fully vaccinated – either two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of Johnson & Johnson – by January 4, 2022. All facility staff, including clinical, non-clinical, licensed practioners, students, trainees, volunteers, and contract staff are included under the requirement.

The regulation also provides for exemptions based on recognized medical conditions or religious beliefs. Facilities must develop a similar process or plan for permitting exemptions in alignment with federal law. Exemptions may be appropriate in certain limited circumstances, but no exemption should be provided to any staff for whom it is not legally required or for individuals seeking an exemption solely to evade vaccination.

Medical exemptions require documentation of the medical condition that clinically contraindicates vaccination, which specific vaccines are contraindicated, a statement by the authenticating medical practitioner recommending the individual be exempted from the facilities COVID vaccination requirements, and must be signed and dated by the practitioner.

Facilities have flexibility in establishing a process that permits staff to request a religious exemption from COVID vaccination requirements. CMS requires facilities to ensure that religious exemptions are documented and evaluated in accordance with federal law and encourage review of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Compliance Manual on Religions Discrimination in determining facility policy.

Along with the announcement, CMS released an FAQ document addressing the nuances of the Final Interim Rule.

This morning, AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson, shared the following message in response to the CMS announcement.

“Once again, we appreciate the Biden Administration’s efforts to ensure that as many workers as possible in all health care settings are vaccinated. Nursing home providers have dedicated themselves to increasing staff vaccination rates, and as a result, three-quarters of employees are fully vaccinated today. We are committed to forging ahead and encouraging all staff members to get these safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.

“While we support the overall intent of this CMS policy, we are concerned that the execution will exacerbate an already dire workforce crisis in long term care. A hard deadline with no resources for providers or glide path for unvaccinated workers is likely to push too many out the door and ultimately, threaten residents’ access to long term care.

“Even a small percentage of staff members leaving their jobs due to this mandate would have a disastrous impact on vulnerable seniors who need around-the-clock care. Across the country, access to long term care is becoming strained as providers have no choice but to limit admissions or even close their doors due to workforce shortages. We hope to continue working with the Administration to make the federal vaccine mandate successful while supporting our residents and caregivers.”

The association will continue to share as additional information and guidance is released.
Above from the Nov. 4 update.

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy Webinar Recording Available
A recording of the webinar “Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy” by Matthew Beacom, MD, is now available upon request. Dr. Beacom described appropriate responses to myths of the vaccine, identified effective ways to address vaccine hesitancy in staff and discussed successful methods to motivate staff to vaccinate.

This webinar is provided at NO COST to HCAM & MCAL members. Email Mary at [email protected] for access information.
Above from Feb. 22 update. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: Getting Started — CDC has provided a toolkit to help employers educate their essential workers about this important new prevention tool. This toolkit will help educate employees about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns. Although the toolkit is designed for the broader category of essential workers, there is a great deal of information that healthcare providers will find useful. 
Above from the Update Jan. 25.

LARA Shares COVID Vaccine Information for Front-line Staff, Residents & Families
The Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has released information and tools to share with front-line staff, residents, resident families, & friends to help spread awareness about COVID-19 vaccinations. 

Lastly please visit COVID Vaccine to learn about frequently asked questions, prioritization, where you can receive the vaccine, resources and much more.  

AMDA Shares COVID Vaccine Resources
The American Medical Directors Association/Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA) has compiled a host of resources regarding the COVID Vaccine in its COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit. The toolkit contains video’s, letters, educational presentations and other key resources. The Frontline Staff Vaccination video has been utilized by some providers in Michigan who shared it was helpful in addressing staff vaccine hesitancy.

The toolkit is free of charge; however, you must create a log-in to access all of the related materials. To log in click HERE. You can also access the video and an FAQ document below:

Above from the update Jan. 19.

HCAM Partners with SEIU and AFSCME to Increase Staff Vaccination Rates
The association recently announced a partnership with SEIU and AFSCE to promote the importance of vaccination in nursing facilities across the state. With phase 1A of the vaccination plan concluding soon, many nursing facility workers still need to receive their first dose of the vaccine. SEIU President Andrea Acevedo hopes that the partnership with HCAM can educate workers about the vaccine and dispel some of the myths surrounding vaccination. 

Click HERE to see an interview with HCAM President/CEO Melissa Samuel about the partnership that was on Fox 47.

Click HERE to see the full release.

Above from the update Jan. 15.