CMS Expanding Efforts to Grow COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence and Uptake

As part of the ongoing response to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and to improve health care access and reduce the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a rule earlier this week that will ensure long-term care facilities, and residential facilities serving clients with intellectual disabilities, educate and offer the COVID-19 vaccine to residents, clients, and staff. These requirements apply to Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, or ICFs-IID, and align with existing requirements for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in LTC facilities.

The rule also requires LTC facilities to report weekly COVID-19 vaccination status data for both residents and staff. 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.

For more information, read the materials below:

• CMS Press Release
• Federal Register – Interim Final Rule with Comments
• Memo – COVID-19 Vaccine Immunization Requirements for Residents and Staff