Notes from Meeting with CDC on Prioritizing Assisted Living, Memory Care, Affordable Housing, and Other Providers for Boosters

Notes from Meeting with CDC on Prioritizing Assisted Living, Memory Care, Affordable Housing, and Other Providers for Boosters

LeadingAge National participated in a small meeting with CDC today on the work they are currently engaged in to ensure that providers in other aging services settings are prioritized and know the steps they need to take to arrange for boosters.  They encourage providers to start now, with the expectation the ACIP and FDA will approve boosters in September.  Topline points are summarized below.  When we shared these notes with CDC they added additional information and links to resources providers can use.  More information will be available as plans are solidified.  This is an opportunity to help shape the HHS plans.

  • There are no plans to bring clinics into any provider organizations, as was done with the original Pharmacy Partnership.
  • This has to happen now, but no one can activate any plans until the FDA and the ACIP make a recommendation about boosters.    Right now, this has only happened for immunosuppressed individuals.
  • Most people will need boosters around 8 months after they were fully vaccinated.
  • Clearly CDC recognizes that aging services staff and residents are a top priority.  CDC is working with provider associations, pharmacies and jurisdictions’ health departments to plan ahead.
  • It’s recognized that the ideal situation is on site clinics; the best way to make this happen will be good planning.  Providers need to take the first steps to do this planning.
  • CDC reports that 95% of nursing homes have a plan in place now to obtain vaccines.  the nursing home message is that their first line is work with their LTC pharmacies.  But they too need to work proactively and make their own plan.
  • HHS recognizes it may be easier for larger providers with higher numbers of people to be immunized to negotiate onsite clinics; there’s special attention and focus to be sure small providers and rural clinic needs are addressed too.
  • Housing, AL, memory care, CCRCs, adult day, PACE and all aging services providers who offer services in congregate settings need to begin now to make plans.
  • Providers need to do two things right now to get started:  figure out as well as possible how many doses you will need; and reach out to retail partners to begin to discuss how to bring them in for clinics or, if necessary, arrange to bring people to them.
  • Planning can also include activating all the processes providers learned about in December – the spring.  Consent forms, staffing clinics, setting up the space, communicating to families, etc.
  • HHS is still working on logistics.  Provider experience from the original roll out is incredibly valuable.  CDC is looking for our input on things to keep in mind and plan for.  Feel free to share your insights and ideas with LeadingAge policy staff and we will compile them for CDC.

Questions?

Contact:

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN – Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 425-231-4804

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