Based on the emergence of Omicron, additional statewide facility-directed measures are necessary to ensure we maintain adequate staffing levels within our healthcare delivery system. Vaccine coverage is also high among workers in high-risk settings, and the proportion of unvaccinated workers is low. Sacramento, CA 95899-7377, For General Public Information: Among 19,830 confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks throughout the pandemic, 47% were associated with the health care, congregate care, and direct care sector. On December 22, 2021, CDPH updated the August 19, 2021, CDPH order and now requires booster-eligible workers to receive their booster dose by no later than March 1, 2022 1, and to undergo twice-weekly COVID-19 testing with at least 72 hours between each test, until boosted. Yes. An LOI template is available upon request from the local Employee Relations Officer (ERO)/Health Care Employee Relations Officer (HCERO). Workers who have been boosted are not required to test weekly. In many of these settings, the consumers and residents are at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease due to underlying health conditions, advanced age, or both. Since the start of the pandemic, CDPH has led with science and data to better understand this disease. Upon returning to work, workers shall immediately be provided written instructions to comply with mandatory COVID-19 vaccine, booster and testing requirements as follows. Federal regulations 42 CFR 483.80(d)(3) and 42 CFR 483.460(a)(4)(i) also require that Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs-IID) must offer COVID-19 vaccines to residents, clients, and staff onsite when supplies are available to the facility and in accordance with the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) COVID-19 vaccine schedule, which includes bivalent booster doses. Fully-vaccinated workers are only required to test when they become eligible for a booster but remain unboosted. Vaccine coverage is also high among workers in high-risk settings, and the proportion of unvaccinated workers is low. Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and PACE Centers, viii. Workers who are newly coming into compliance with the State and Local healthcare worker vaccine requirements must receive their booster dose within 15 days after becoming eligible. No. Positions with the California COVID Health Corps The CDC Clinician Call Center is available to clinicians who have COVID-19 clinical management questions. Booster-eligible workers shall receive their booster dose by no later than March 1, 2022. In addition, the recent emergence of the Omicron variant (it is estimated that approximately 70% of cases sequenced, nationally, are Omicron and rapid increases are occurring globally) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts, including testing, which are needed to continue protecting against COVID-19. [i]Workers who provide proof of COVID-19 infection after completion of their primary series[ii]may defer booster administration for up to 90 days from date of first positive test or clinical diagnosis, which in some situations, may extend the booster dose requirement beyond March 1st. The timing of required booster doses has been amended to reflect current CDC recommendations. Eligibility timeframes are outlined in Table A of the, Fully vaccinated workers not yet eligible for boosters shall be in compliance no later than 15 days after the recommended timeframe per Table A of the. There is frequent exposure to staff and highly vulnerable patients, including elderly, chronically ill, critically ill, medically fragile, and disabled patients. Additional statewide directed measures are necessary to protect particularly vulnerable populations, and ensure a sufficient, consistent supply of workers in high-risk care settings. Since Thanksgiving, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by 34% and hospitalizations have increased by 17%. Work at California Health Care Facility (CHCF), California Medical Facility (CMF), and regularly assigned to work in Central California Womens Facilitys (CCWF) SNF. Workers should only test if 90 days have passed since they tested positive. There also is an FAQ document for the health care worker public health order. Documentation of a previous diagnosis from a healthcare provider. Adult and senior care facilities, and settings within which direct care and services are provided, as identified in this order, are high-risk settings where COVID-19 transmission and outbreaks can have severe consequences for vulnerable populations resulting in hospitalization, severe illness, and death. Workers not yet eligible for boosters must be in compliance no later than 15 days after the recommended timeframe above for receiving the booster dose. There has been a growing body of evidence suggesting that a combination of history of SarsCoV2 vaccination and infection can lead to a strong hybrid immunity after recovery from infection. c. For unvaccinated workers: signed declination forms with written health care provider's statement where applicable, as described in section (2) above. Pfizer or Moderna), or two weeks or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (e.g. California is currently experiencing the fastest increase in COVID-19 cases during the entire pandemic with 18.3 new cases per 100,000 people per day, with case rates increasing ninefold within two months. Vaccinations have been available in California from December 2020 to the present, and from January 1, 2021, to July 12, 2021, a total of 9,371 confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks and 113,196 outbreak-related cases were reported to CDPH. The state in August issued a first-in-the-nation requirement for health care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In the case of certified home health aides and affiliated home care aides, the home health agencies and home care organizations are the employer. As we've also seen, the Omicron subvariants have shown immune escape and increased transmissibility, and while unvaccinated individuals still have higher risk of infection, previously infected, vaccinated, and boosted persons have also been infected. All non-custody institution workers vaccination/booster status will be verified by management if required to work in a vaccination/booster-required post. The Delta variant is highly transmissible and may cause more severe illness. For example: 1st offense: 5% salary reduction (example: 3 or 6 qualifying pay periods), 2nd offense: 5% salary reduction for longer period of time than first (example: 9 or 12 qualifying pay periods), 3rd offense: suspension without pay (example: 1424 or 25-36 qualifying work days). Yes, workers who previously had COVID-19 need to get tested twice-weekly if they are subject to the CDPH Order and are unvaccinated, partially-vaccinated, or booster-eligible but unboosted. k Skilled Nursing facilities must continue to comply with current federal requirements that may require more stringent testing of staff, including QSO-20-38-NH REVISED (cms.gov |PDF) Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency related to Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements or similarrequirements that may be imposed in the future. Reset Note: During a COVID-19 outbreak, all workers may be subject to more frequent and regular intervals of COVID-19 testing regardless of vaccination status. Thecurrent State Public Health Officer Orderis ineffect untilApril 2, 2023. , Related Materials:Adult Care Facilities and Direct Care Worker Vaccine Requirement Q&A. 1-833-4CA4ALL Additionally, there is immunological data suggesting that allowing an adequate interval between an infection and a COVID-19 vaccination dose may be important to allow quality immune memory. If the accommodation request is denied, the worker has 15 calendar days to initiate a vaccination/booster. a total of 9,371 confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks and 113,196 . Photo by Julian Mendoza for CalMatters. For these reasons, COVID-19 remains a concern to public health and, in order to prevent its further spread in adult and senior care facilities and in-home direct care settings, new public health requirements are necessary at this time. The facility must provide such records to the local or state Public Health Officer or their designee promptly upon request, and in any event no later than the next business day after receiving the request. The employer must provide such records to the local or state Public Health Officer, the California Department of Social Services, or their designee promptly upon request, and in any event no later than the next business day after receiving the request. Consistent with applicable privacy laws and regulations, an employer must maintain records of workers' vaccination or exemption status. While awaiting determination, workers shall continue reporting to work, wear the appropriate mask at all times based on current masking guidelines as posted on the Lifeline COVID-19 page, and test twice-weekly (with 48-72 hours between each test), until fully-vaccinated or until boosted (if booster-eligible). The timing of required booster doses has been amended to reflect current CDC recommendations. The operator of the facility then also must maintain records of the worker's testing results, if testing is required, pursuant to section (4). Healthcare personnel staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters remains the most important strategy to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19. Single booster dose of Monderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Clinics & Doctor Offices (including behavioral health, surgical), xiii. If the test was obtained within CDCR/CCHCS, no further documentation is required. Booster-eligible but unboosted. 1. to Default, Certificates, Licenses, Permits and Registrations, Registered Environmental Health Specialist, California Health Facilities Information Database, Chronic Disease Surveillance and Research, Division of Radiation Safety and Environmental Management, Center for Health Statistics and Informatics, Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program, Office of State Public Health Laboratory Director, current State Public Health Officer Order, Adult Care Facilities and Direct Care Worker Vaccine Requirement Q&A, QSO-23-02-ALL (Revised Guidance for Staff Vaccination Requirements), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech or Novavax or vaccines authorized by World Health Organization, Booster dose at least 2 months and no more than 6 months after 2nd dose. Workers as defined above shall not be subject to discipline or assignment termination. Call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) to be routed to Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) volunteer clinicians. EAST LANSING - Michigan State University is dropping a COVID-19 vaccine and booster mandate for students and staff a little more than a year after introducing the requirement at the height of . PO Box 997377 Workers shall not to be placed on Administrative Time Off (ATO) or involuntary dock. This State Public Health Officer Order will takeeffect onApril 3, 2023. PO Box 997377 Vaccines for Health Care Workers. As we respond to the ongoing pandemic, all workers in adult and senior care facilities and in-home direct care settings must be vaccinated to reduce the chance of transmission to vulnerable populations. Vaccine coverage is also high among workers in high-risk settings, and the proportion of unvaccinated workers is low. Hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and the other health care facility types identified in this order are particularly high-risk settings where COVID-19 outbreaks can have severe consequences for vulnerable populations including hospitalization, severe illness, and death. Additionally, workers shall wear the appropriate mask at all times based on current masking guidelines as posted on the Lifeline COVID-19 page, and obtain twice-weekly COVID-19 testing (with 48-72 hours between each test), until compliant with the CDPH Order. Standard language for the CDCR Form 989 has been developed to assist HAs and to expedite processing of these requests through the OIA Central Intake Unit process; please consult with the local EEO/HCERO. Increasing evidence shows that a combination of infection after completing the primary series of vaccination can build strong hybrid immunity. (916) 558-1784, COVID 19 Information Line: This change was necessary because of challenges caused by the Omicron surge that made it difficult for some to obtain their booster doses by the initial deadline. Yes, the worker shall be exempt from progressive discipline pending the HAs determination on a request for accommodation. Accordingly, amendments to the original State Public Health Officer Order of August 5, 2021, to make boosters mandatory and to require additional testing of workers eligible for boosters who are not yet boosted, are necessary at this critical time. By the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are listed at the FDA COVID-19 Vaccines webpage. Further, the settings in this order share several features. Can health care services still be delivered?). When you work directly with patients or handle body fluids, you're more likely to get and spread serious diseases. (1-833-422-4255). Direct Care Worker and information regarding the Pf-i19zer COVID Vaccine Boos ter. In fact, recent data suggests that viral load is roughly 1,000 times higher in people infected with the Delta variant than those infected with the original coronavirus strain, according to a recent study. Yes, progressive discipline shall be paused pending determination on an accommodation request, and will recommence if the request is denied and worker remains non-compliant. In addition, 88% of Skilled Nursing Facility healthcare personnel have received at least one booster doseand 71% of staff at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation have completed their primary series. Following the approval of an accommodation request, HAs have the ability to remove an LOI. All individuals in subdivisions (a) through (e) must have the first dose of a one-dose regimen or the second dose of a two-dose regimen by November 30, 2021. a. Healthcare workers include physicians, nurses, emergency medical personnel, dental professionals and students, medical and nursing students, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, hospital volunteers, and administrative staff. To be eligible for a Qualified Medical Reasons exemption the worker must also provide to their employer a written statement signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or other licensed medical professional practicing under the license of a physician stating that the individual qualifies for the exemption (but the statement should not describe the underlying medical condition or disability) and indicating the probable duration of the worker's inability to receive the vaccine (or if the duration is unknown or permanent, so indicate). b. Two-dose vaccines include: Pfizer-BioNTech,Moderna, or Novavaxor vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization. On December 22, 2021, this Order was amended to make boosters mandatory for covered workers and to require additional testing of workers eligible for boosters who are not yet boosted. Since Thanksgiving, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by 34% and hospitalizations have increased by 17%. Workers have the option to submit a request for religious or reasonable medical accommodation for the vaccine/booster within 15 calendar days upon their return to work. Nothing in this Order limits otherwise applicable requirements related to Personal Protective Equipment, personnel training, and infection control policies and practices. Residential Substance Use Treatment and Mental Health Treatment Facilities. The one-dose vaccine is: Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen. Dear PACE Partners : On September 28, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued new . Individuals are considered fully- vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks or more after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (e.g. Consequently, current vaccine requirements of staff in health care settings are not proving sufficient to prevent transmission of the more transmissible Omicron variant. The top industry settings are adult and senior care facilities and in-home direct care settings (22%) where increasing numbers of workers are among the new positive cases and recent outbreaks in these types of settings have frequently been traced to unvaccinated individuals. The CDPH has amended its mandatory vaccination requirement for workers in healthcare settings to account for booster shots, as follows: If a healthcare worker became eligible 1 for a booster on or before January 17, 2022, they must receive their booster shot by February 1, 2022. Fully-vaccinated workers who are not yet eligible for a booster are only required to test when they become eligible for a booster and remain unboosted. c. "Worker" refers to all paid and unpaid individuals who work in indoor settings where (1) care is provided to patients, or (2) patients have access for any purpose. Federal regulations 42 CFR 483.80(d)(3) and 42 CFR 483.460(a)(4)(i) also require that Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs-IID) must offer COVID-19 vaccines to residents, clients, and staff onsite when supplies are available to the facility and in accordance with the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) COVID-19 vaccine schedule, which includes bivalent booster doses. On December 22, the California Department of Public Health issued an order that requires health care workers working at certain facilities to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to receive boosters by February 1 unless an exemption applies. Yes, but only if booster-eligible and unboosted. Workers shall not be placed on ATO or involuntary dock. Newsom announced health care workers across California will be required to receive a COVID-19. Worker has been continuously off-work from the time the. 10. At present, 80% of Californians 12 years of age and older have completed their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, and 62% have also received at least their first booster dose. 10. For IHSS workers, WPCS workers, and independent registered home care aides, the worker must maintain relevant records as provided in this section. Further, the settings in this order share several features. Additionally, there is immunological data suggesting that allowing an adequate interval between an infection and a COVID-19 vaccination dose may be important to allow quality immune memory. Covered workers must continue to comply with all required primary series and vaccine booster doses pursuant to Table A below. Additionally, given the current hospital census, even a moderate surge in cases and hospitalizations could materially impact California's health care delivery system within certain regions of the state. The Delta variant is currently the most common variant causing new infections in California. The, troduction to State Public Health Officer Order of September 13, 2022, en By the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are listed at the As we've also seen, the Omicron subvariants have shown immune escape and increased transmissibility, and while unvaccinated individuals still have higher risk of infection, previously infected, vaccinated, and boosted persons have also been infected. Workers who are not yet eligible for a booster must comply no later than 15 days after the CDPH's recommended timeframe (see Table, below) for . The one-dose vaccine is: Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen. CCHCS civil service workers may submit a request to the CCHCS Disability Management Unit. In the interim, all health care staff that have not received their booster must test for COVID-19 twice weekly until they are up to date on their vaccines. Follow the process for submitting proof of vaccination/booster outlined in Attachment A of the, Follow the process for submitting proof of testing outlined in Attachment B of, The worker has 15 calendar days to initiate a vaccination/booster, or they shall be subject to progressive discipline on the 16. In the case of workers in a facility, the facility is the employer. Alternatively, workers may select another no-cost community clinic listed on the California COVID-19 website or their personal health care provider and follow the process for submitting proof of testing outlined in Attachment B of the January 28, 2022, memorandum. "Employer" refers to an organization that employs and directs the worker in providing services. 9. Recent outbreaks in health care settings have frequently been traced to unvaccinated staff members.