VACCINE NEWS

Kansas COVID-19 Vaccination Overview 
2,712,991 Total Doses Reported as Administered 

• First Dose: 1,503,612
•  Second Dose: 1,209,380

3,3,293,130 Total Doses Distributed 

• State Distributed: 2,121,370
• 51.6% of Kansans Vaccinated with One Dose  
• 44.8% of Kansas Completed COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data

STATE NEWS

Latest KDHE COVID-19 Update Webinar (August 19, 2021)
KDHE hosts a weekly call Thursdays at 10 AM to update health care stakeholders on all COVID-19 data and activities. Listen to Webinar Here. Download the PowerPoint. Download the Q&A.

The next COVID-19 Update for Local Partners will take place Thursday, August 26 at 10am CST. You can register for the webinar now. Password: KDHECOVID

Fire Marshal Warning Against Charlie Cart Company Hood Suppression Systems
A company under the name of Charlie Cart Company are selling hoods and suppression systems that do not meet fire codes. The Fire Marshal has asked us to spread the word against purchasing these produced. Read the letter for more information.

Kansas COVID-19 Cluster Summary  
As of August 25th, there are 7 long-term care facilities with clusters and 2 are LeadingAge Kansas Members.
 
Statewide Active COVID-19 Clusters  

• Clusters: 151
• Cases: 1,252
• Hospitalizations: 78

Kansas COVID-19: Case Rates 

• Cases: 362,321
• Total Case Rate Per 1,000: 124.37
• Daily Cases Diagnosed: 941

Long-Term Care Facilities with Active Cluster Case Information

• Clusters: 58
• Cases: 520
• Hospitalizations: 49

Source: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas

FEDERAL NEWS

FDA Gives Full Authorization to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
On Monday, the FDA announced approval of the first COVID-19 vaccine, previously known as Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.  This vaccine will now be marketed as Comirnaty and will be available for individuals 16 years of age or older.  This vaccine will remain under EUA for individuals 12-15 years of age and for administration as a third dose for certain immunocompromised individuals.

CDC Releases Revised Guidance for COVID-19 Illness Following Vaccination
On Monday, the CDC released a revised document titled The Possibility of COVID-19 after Vaccination:  Breakthrough Infections.  Revisions in the document include:

• COVID-19 vaccines protect people from getting infected and severely ill, and significantly reduce the likelihood of hospitalization and death.
• The best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to prevent infection by Delta or other variants is to get vaccinated.
• For people who are vaccinated and still get infected, there is a risk of transmission to others.
• If you are vaccinated or unvaccinated and live or work in an area with substantial or high transmission of COVID-19, you – as well as your family and community – will be better protected if you wear a mask when you are in indoor public places.

People who are immunocompromised may not always build adequate levels of protection after an initial 2-dose primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series.  They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people until advised otherwise by their health care provider. Further, CDC recommends that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS

LeadingAge Kansas Quoted in the News
News outlets have picked up on the Biden Administration’s vaccination mandate for all nursing home employees. Here is the article that Debra Zehr was quoted in this week:

• Topeka Capital Journal: Kansas long-term care facilities see low staff vaccination rates, but federal mandate may spur worker shortage

Don’t Miss This Friday’s Update Call
Join us each week to hear the latest on COVID and other important information for organization. Presenter Anne Yeakley, KDADS CARE Program Manager has been postponed, please be watching for the new date. She is scheduled to talk about PASRR and CARE. Register here.

LEADINGAGE NATIONAL NEWS

LeadingAge Vaccine Mandate Member Town Hall Tomorrow, August 26, 3-4 PM Central Time
We want to hear from you!  LeadingAge invites members to a virtual Town Hall on Vaccine Mandates.  Your input helps us in our understanding of what members are thinking and how we can best advocate with the Administration and Congress.  We seek your feedback on mandates generally, in your state, and the newly announced upcoming requirement for nursing homes.  We’ll also talk about how you are preparing and can prepare as well as advocacy steps you may want to take – and those you’ve already taken.  LeadingAge members can register for the Town Hall here.

LeadingAge Letter to Administration Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

On Monday, LeadingAge CEO, Katie Smith-Sloan sent a letter to Ambassador Susan Rice, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, HHS Secretary Xavier Beccera and CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, outlining LeadingAge member’s concerns.  Included in the letter are requests to:

• Level the field across all of health care to keep everyone protected.  The vaccine mandate as a condition of employment should apply to all health care providers that participate in Medicare or Medicaid.
• Address workforce shortages.  Vaccine mandates must be coupled with direct assistance to providers, enabling them to maintain staff to keep serving and caring for residents.
• Allocate Provider Relief Funds.  The remaining PRF must get to long-term care providers as quickly as possible to help ensure they can continue to serve older adults.
• Step up vaccine education by increasing vaccine acceptance education and resources in aging services settings.

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