LTC Bivalent Vaccine Update & Resources (SNF/AL)

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) and the Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA) issued the following guidance regarding the new bivalent COVID boosters:

“As fall quickly approaches, we anticipate an uptick in cases of respiratory diseases, specifically COVID-19. With the authorization of bivalent boosters on Friday, September 2, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) wants to ensure all long-term care facilities have access to COVID-19 vaccines for their staff, patients, and residents.  

The new bivalent vaccines are recommended for everyone ages 12 years and older who completed their primary series, with at least two months since the last COVID-19 vaccination. These new boosters are formulated to protect against the most recent variants (BA.4 and BA.5) of COVID-19. As with other infectious diseases, people are best protected from COVID-19 when they stay up to date on recommended vaccine doses. This means getting all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including the new bivalent booster dose when eligible. As of June 2022, unvaccinated people ages 12 and older were 6.1 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to people who were up to date on vaccines. Those who are both vaccinated and boosted are the best protected against the various strains of COVID-19.  

Efforts to maximize the number of people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 remain critical to reducing spread, especially heading into the winter months. The risk for severe COVID-19 illness increases with older adults and those with underlying medical conditions. It is crucial that residents and staff in long-term care (LTC) settings, such as nursing homes, assisted living communities, residential care communities, group homes and senior housing, have access to and obtain the COVID-19 vaccines.  

MDHHS strongly encourages your facility to integrate COVID-19 vaccination into routine care, such as co-administration with seasonal flu vaccination or to enroll as a COVID-19 provider(s) if you are able. After reviewing these documents, if you have any questions on provider enrollment, please contact [email protected]. 

For facilities unable to enroll as a COVID-19 provider, MDHHS urges you to work with your local community partners, including pharmacies and federally qualified health centers, to obtain vaccines for your staff and residents as part of routine care. Local health departments will also be providing vaccination for any staff or resident family members who can visit their location.  

Now is the time to ensure staff and residents are up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including bivalent boosters. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact the MDHHS LTC email inbox at [email protected]. 

Thank you for all that you do to protect Michigan’s most vulnerable residents from COVID-19!”