On May 11, 2021, CMS issued a rule requiring long term care facilities to educate residents/resident representatives and staff about the COVID-19 vaccine. This rule is similar to existing requirements for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in long term care facilities, and appropriate documentation of the vaccine education must be maintained. Additionally, the facility must offer the vaccine unless unless the resident or staff member has already been immunized or receiving the vaccine is medically contraindicated for that individual.
The update will also require facilities to report COVID-19 vaccination status of both residents and staff on a weekly basis to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. According the press release from CMS, “the new vaccination reporting requirement will not only assist in monitoring uptake amongst residents and staff, but will also aid in identifying facilities that may be in need of additional resources and/or assistance to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
To read the rule and its memo in its entirety, please click below: