We have heard feedback from the CDC that facilities are significantly overestimating the number of people expected to be vaccinated. This is being attributed to a variety of things, including last minute decisions to stagger staff, poor estimates, or staff backing out at the last minute. This results in the pharmacies thawing too many vaccines, which must be used within 6 hours, and states scrambling to reallocate to other priority groups before they expire. We are also hearing of this happening in other settings too, such as hospitals.
If you are participating in the pharmacy partnership program, your matched pharmacy (CVS/Walgreens/LTC pharmacy) will call you a few days before the clinic to confirm the number of people to be vaccinated.
It is very important providers accurately estimate the number of people to be vaccinated at this time to avoid any wastage. If there are any changes to that estimate communicate this to your matched pharmacy partner as soon as possible. We recommend the following:
- Timely surveys (within 2-3 days of the clinic) of staff and residents to determine how many plan to take the vaccine.
- Frequent and regular communication on vaccine benefits and safety up until the clinic date.
- Materials (handouts, posters, lawn signs, etc.) on the day of the clinic emphasizing the importance of vaccination.
- Celebratory items on the day of the vaccine to encourage staff to get vaccinated.
To address concerns over staff calling out after the vaccine, please review our
staffing considerations guidance. However, be aware that we have not heard of many call-outs yet from states or providers that have completed vaccinations.