| New COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Use | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/New-COVID-19-Vaccine-Approved-for-Use.aspx | New COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Use | | | | | 9/18/2023 4:00:00 AM | | On September 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines for 2023-2024 manufactured by ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Inc. These new vaccines are formulated to target current, more closely circulating variants and to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. <br><br>On September 12, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met to provide review the evidence and provide recommendations regarding use of these approved vaccines. <strong>The CDC recommends that if you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past 2 months, to get the newly updated COVID-19 vaccine.</strong> <br><br>The newly approved COVID-19 vaccine has several important implications for long term care providers, as follows: <br><br><ul><li>Facilitate Vaccinations for Residents and Staff </li><ul><li>Long term care residents are at the greatest risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Providers must prioritize resident and staff vaccination for COVID-19, as well as flu and RSV.</li><li>AHCA has developed a comprehensive <a data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">vaccine toolkit</a> that includes a <a href="/Quality/Documents/GetVaccinated/Best%20Practices%20Checklist%20GetVaccinated%20.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">vaccination checklist</a> providing best practices on getting residents vaccinated for all three respiratory viruses this fall. </li><li>In accordance with CDC's <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/general-recs/index.html" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization</a>, routine administration of all age-appropriate doses of vaccines simultaneously is recommended if there are no contraindications at the time of the healthcare visit</li></ul><li>Change to NHSN “Up to Date" Definition</li><ul><li>The NHSN surveillance definition of “up-to-date" will change with the release of this new vaccine. This will impact NHSN reporting and publicly reported vaccination rates. </li><li>This means that as of 9/25, most residents will not be up to date. This is expected by CDC and other public health officials.</li><li>NHSN is hosting <a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/NHSN-LTC-Vaccination-Trainings.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">four upcoming trainings</a> to discuss these changes. Providers should <a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/NHSN-LTC-Vaccination-Trainings.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">register</a> for one of the training dates offered. </li></ul><li>SNF QRP Reporting</li><ul><li>As a reminder, skilled nursing facilities are also required to report their weekly Healthcare Personnel COVID-19 Vaccination Summary data as part of the SNF QRP Reporting program.</li><li>The SNF QRP measure is a process measure and is not risk-adjusted. Therefore, it is only a pay-for-reporting measure. No QRP penalties will be issued based on rates of staff vaccine uptake, but percentages of staff uptake will be published on Care Compare. </li></ul><li>Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine No Longer Approved </li><ul><li>Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States with the approval of the new COVID-19 vaccines. </li></ul></ul>Questions? Please contact us at <a href="mailto:COVID-19@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">COVID-19@ahca.org</a>. <br><br><br> | | |
| The 2023 #GetVaccinated Provider Toolkit is Now Available | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/The-2023-GetVaccinated-Provider-Toolkit-is-Now-Available.aspx | The 2023 #GetVaccinated Provider Toolkit is Now Available | | | | | 9/13/2023 4:00:00 AM | | <div>As we gear up for cold and flu season, the importance of vaccination has never been more evident. Especially as just this week, the federal government approved a new, <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-updated-mrna-covid-19-vaccines-better-protect-against-currently-circulating" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">updated COVID vaccine</a>. </div><div><br></div><div>We know ensuring the health and well-being of residents and staff in long term care remains your top priority. That’s why we are excited to announce AHCA/NCAL’s<strong> </strong><a href="/Quality/Pages/GetVaccinated.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>2023 #GetVaccinated Provider Toolkit</strong></a><strong> </strong>– a comprehensive set of resources designed to equip providers with the tools and information needed to promote and facilitate annual vaccinations among residents and staff this fall and winter. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>The 2023 #GetVaccinated Toolkit includes:</strong></div><div> </div><div><ul><li>A <strong>checklist </strong>for providers with suggested best practices in order to prepare for fall vaccination season;</li><li><strong>Poster graphics</strong> to raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated; </li><li><strong>Social media posts and graphics</strong>; </li><li><strong>Template letters</strong> to residents and family members; and</li><li><strong>In-depth resources</strong> for providers about recommended vaccines for residents and staff, documenting vaccines, frequently asked questions, and more.</li></ul></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Why use the #GetVaccinated Toolkit?</strong></div><div><br></div><div><ul><li><strong>Streamline Implementation:</strong> The toolkit provides ready to use materials, saving you time and effort in creating your vaccination campaign.</li><li><strong>Consistency:</strong> Ensure that your message to residents and staff remains clear and consistent across all channels – posters, social media and letters.</li><li><strong>Understand Requirements:</strong> With the end of the Public Health Emergency, make sure you understand changing regulations and policies, including documenting and billing. </li><li><strong>Protect Lives:</strong> Vaccination is a powerful tool in preventing vulnerable populations from getting seriously ill and hospitalized from the flu, RSV and COVID-19.</li></ul></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><a href="/Quality/Pages/GetVaccinated.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>DOWNLOAD THE #GETVACCINATED TOOLKIT</strong></a><br></div><div><br></div><div>We encourage you to take advantage of these resources located at <a href="/Quality/Pages/GetVaccinated.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>getvaccinated.us</strong></a><strong> </strong>and incorporate them into your fall vaccination campaign. If you have any questions about the resources or fall vaccinations, please contact <a href="mailto:COVID19@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">COVID19@ahca.org</a>. </div><div><br></div><div>Together, we can make a significant impact on the health and safety of those who work and reside in long term care. </div><div><br></div><div>Thank you for your dedication to providing exceptional care.</div><div><br></div><div>Stay safe and #getvaccinated!</div><div><br><br></div> | | |
| AHCA/NCAL Releases 2023 #GetVaccinated Provider Toolkit to Encourage Annual Fall Vaccinations | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/AHCA-NCAL-Releases-2023-GetVaccinated-Provider-Toolkit-to-Encourage-Annual-Fall-Vaccinations.aspx | AHCA/NCAL Releases 2023 #GetVaccinated Provider Toolkit to Encourage Annual Fall Vaccinations | | | | | 9/13/2023 4:00:00 AM | | <strong>WASHINGTON, D.C. –</strong> As the nation prepares for the impending cold and flu season and new COVID-19 booster shots are about to be rolled out, long term care facilities nationwide are taking steps to ensure the health and well-being of their residents and staff. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) representing more than 14,000 long term care (LTC) facilities across the country, released today its <a href="https://getvaccinated.us/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]">2023 #GetVaccinated Toolkit</a>, a comprehensive set of resources designed to equip providers with the tools and information needed to promote and facilitate critical vaccinations among residents and staff this fall and winter.<br><br>“Long term care providers are making every effort to encourage residents and staff to roll up their sleeves," said <strong>Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL.</strong> “We remain focused on ramping up those education efforts this fall and partnering with Administration officials and other stakeholders to streamline access to vaccines."<br><br>The arrival of the cold and flu season underscores the importance of everyone getting their annual fall vaccinations, but especially individuals residing and working in long term care facilities. COVID-19, influenza (Flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are commonly spread, especially in the fall and winter. Older adults and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from these viruses. Vaccination remains one of the most effective, safest ways to build immunity and prevent serious illness, hospitalizations, and death.<br><br>The 2023 #GetVaccinated Toolkit is a comprehensive resource curated to empower long term care providers in their mission to encourage and facilitate vaccinations among their residents and staff. This toolkit includes:<br><ul><li>A checklist for providers with suggested best practices in order to prepare for fall vaccination season;<br></li><li>Poster graphics to raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated;<br></li><li>Pre-crafted social media posts and graphics;<br></li><li>Template letters to residents and family members; and</li><li>In-depth resources for providers about recommended vaccines for residents and staff, documenting vaccines, frequently asked questions, and more.</li></ul><br>As of August 27, 2023, nearly two-thirds of nursing home residents were up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. This means nursing home residents are more than three times as likely to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations compared to the public. Facilities typically work with a LTC pharmacy to supply and sometimes administer vaccines to residents and staff. Meanwhile, long term care facilities continue to follow infection prevention and control, testing, and masking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.<br><br>Visit <a href="https://getvaccinated.us/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]">GetVaccinated.us</a> to access the 2023 #GetVaccinated Toolkit.<br><br><br><br> | As the nation prepares for the impending cold and flu season and new COVID-19 booster shots are about to be rolled out, AHCA/NCAL released today its 2023 #GetVaccinated Toolkit. | |
| NHSN LTC Vaccination Trainings | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/NHSN-LTC-Vaccination-Trainings.aspx | NHSN LTC Vaccination Trainings | | | | | 9/13/2023 4:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div>With the CDC changing the NHSN surveillance definition of “up to date,” NHSN is offering several trainings for long term care facilities to discuss the changes. </div><div> </div><div>The trainings will provide information about how to apply the new definition of up to date for reporting HCP COVID-19 vaccination data in NHSN beginning the week of September 25-October 1, 2023. </div><div> </div><div><strong>Training on Up-to-Date Vaccination Status: Surveillance Definition Change for Long Term Care Facilities </strong></div><div>Monday, September 18, 2023, 2:00pm ET <br></div><div><a href="https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_YxYp42hwT5KncquBBpLttg" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">Register </a></div><div> </div><div><strong>Training on Up-to-Date Vaccination Status: Surveillance Definition Change for Long Term Care Facilities (Webinar Replays) </strong></div><div>Friday, September 22, 2023, 2:00pm ET </div><div><a href="https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_7bPDRWYETNSf6mnIo6qQvw" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">Register </a></div><div> <br></div><div>Monday, September 25, 2023, 1:00pm ET </div><div><a href="https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN__JGOOXuiSAW1VF2zS-_baw" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">Register </a></div><div> </div><div>Monday, October 2, 2023, 1:00pm ET </div><div><a href="https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_TDnotOroSbiPut3-2-5RtQ" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">Register </a><br></div><p></p> | With the CDC changing the NHSN surveillance definition of “up to date,” NHSN is offering several trainings for long term care facilities to discuss the changes.
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