This communication is to update and replace the ListServ email entitled “Vaccination Information for Office of Long-Term Living Home and Community-Based Services Providers” that was sent on January 11, 2021. This updated communication adds information about an available map of vaccine providers and an update to the steps to take once you select a vaccine provider. The updates are in red text below. Please disregard the previous communication.
Vaccination Information for Office of Long-Term Living Home and Community-Based Services Providers
Getting Pennsylvanians immunized with a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is an essential step in reducing the number of virus-related cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) guides the distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The purpose of this communication is to inform Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) providers of the most recent COVID-19 vaccine information provided by DOH. OLTL HCBS providers with a direct care component are included in the definition of health-care personnel in the Phase 1A sub-prioritization guidance found in Section 3 of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan.
Recently, DOH issued an Order of the Secretary. This order, effective January 6, 2021, requires that hospitals, health systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and pharmacies reserve at least 10 percent of each shipment of vaccine to vaccinate health-care personnel not affiliated with a hospital or health system.
Health-care personnel in Phase 1A who are not affiliated with a hospital or health system should work with an enrolled hospital, health system, FQHC, or pharmacy in their jurisdiction. Please refer to the attached overview issued by DOH for Phase 1A health-care personnel not affiliated with a hospital or health system.
HCBS providers should consider:
Establishing a process to track vaccinations within your agency.
- Although vaccination information will be reported to DOH by vaccine providers, all health-care personnel or their employers are requested to track vaccine participation and keep records of those who accept and those who decline vaccination.
A map of vaccine providers is available on the DOH website. The map provides important details to help you select a vaccine provider, including whether the provider has received the vaccine yet. The map will be updated as more providers receive the vaccine.
- Once you have selected a vaccine provider(s):
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- Communicate the number of individuals within your agency and locations needing a vaccine to the vaccine provider.
- Mark the date and time of vaccination and ensure that individuals within your agency who were identified are scheduled to receive their second dose. This second dose is given three weeks later for the Pfizer vaccine and four weeks later for the Moderna vaccine.
- Follow processes and procedures required by the vaccine provider.
If individuals are asked for proof of employment, and they are a direct care worker in the participant directed model, they can log in to the PPL website to download a letter conveying proof of employment.
Please share this guidance with others in your agency and stakeholders as applicable.