Accurate Headcount Vital to Making Vaccination Program Work
Patrick Connole
12/28/2020
COVID-19
Infection Control
In a new COVID-19 update, the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) said it has received feedback from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that nursing facilities are significantly overestimating the number of people expected to be vaccinated.
AHCA/NCAL said the high head count is being attributed to a variety of things, including last-minute decisions to stagger staff, poor estimates, or staff backing out of being vaccinated at the last minute.
“This results in the pharmacies thawing too many vaccines, which must be used within six hours, and states scrambling to reallocate to other priority groups before they expire. We are also hearing of this happening in other settings too, such as hospitals," the association said.
To help remedy the problem, AHCA/NCAL said if a provider is participating in the pharmacy partnership program, the matched pharmacy (CVS/Walgreens/LTC pharmacy) will call a few days before the clinic visit to confirm the number of people to be vaccinated.
“It is very important providers accurately estimate the number of people to be vaccinated at this time to avoid any wastage. If there are any changes to that estimate, communicate this to your matched pharmacy partner as soon as possible," AHCA/NCAL said.
Recommendations to address the situation include the following:
- Timely surveys (within two to three days of the clinic) of staff and residents to determine how many plan to take the vaccine.
- Frequent and regular communication on vaccine benefits and safety up until the clinic date.
- Materials (handouts, posters, lawn signs, etc.) on the day of the clinic emphasizing the importance of vaccination.
- Celebratory items on the day of the vaccine to encourage staff to get vaccinated.
Also, AHCA/NCAL said to address concerns over staff calling out after the vaccine, please review staffing considerations guidance.
“However, be aware that we have not heard of many call-outs yet from
states or providers that have completed vaccinations," AHCA/NCAL said.
Visit ahcancal.org/coronavirus for more information.