VACCINE NEWS
TB Testing and COVID Vaccines
CDC has updated Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States. This guidance addresses a number of the frequently asked questions, such as dose intervals, mixing of COVID vaccines, mixing of COVID vaccines with other vaccines, allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, etc. Thanks to the experience of a member, we draw your attention to a piece about vaccines and TB testing, tucked neatly into the last section of the document title “Laboratory Testing”. CDC recommends that individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine delay TB testing (tuberculin skin test or interferon gamma release assay) until 4 weeks after the completion of dose 2 of COVID-19 vaccination. Understanding that this may cause an issue with new hires and annual employee health certifications, LeadingAge National has reached out to CMS for further guidance. LeadingAge Kansas has initiated a conversation with state agencies to see if they will consider pursuing emergency rule-making at the state level to issue a temporary waiver of timely TB test for those who have been vaccinated. We will keep you updated as we learn more.
Addressing Vaccine Reluctance: Interview with Dr. Robin Jump
Dr. Robin Jump, Associate Professor of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University and Infectious Disease Physician at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, joined the LeadingAge Update Call on January 6, 2021. Listen to the recording.
Quality, Medicaid and COVID: An Interview with Dr. Tamara Konetzka
Dr. Konetzka’s reports that that there is no meaningful relationship between star ratings and the incidence of COVID infections or deaths. COVID in a nursing home is entirely connected to what’s going on in the community around the nursing home. “When people ask me what nursing homes can improve related to COVID,” she said, “I respond – that is the wrong question. A better question is what can the wider community do to better tamp down community spread.” Here’s a link to one of the studies she talked about.
STATE NEWS
CRF Fund Update
Upon signature from the President, the Office of Recovery plans to grant you an extension to use all your remaining CRF funds. We will provide an exact deadline next month, however for now, you should anticipate a deadline of no earlier than March 1, 2021.
FEDERAL NEWS
COVID Variant Cases
Here’s CDC updated interactive map with identified variant cases in the U.S.
LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS
Here is the Recording from Today’s Weekly Webinar
Thanks to all who were able to join us today for the weekly webinar. Here is the link to the recording and here are the handouts. We hope you can join us this year for information and updates about the coronavirus each Friday at 10 AM. Register here.
Don’t Forget About Our COVID-19 Resources Developed for LeadingAge Kansas Members
- Pre/During/Post Outbreak Checklist
- Emergency Staffing Checklist
- Pulmonary Assessment Skills for Nurses (video and competency checklist)
Take 50 Minutes to Boost Your Mental Health with Coping with COVID Weekly Calls
We are gaining momentum with our Coping with COVID group meetings. This week we talked about Compassion Fatigue and how that is affecting our work after 10 months of the virus. Any member’s employees can participate each Monday at Noon by registering here.
Starting January 14th, we will be adding a session on Thursdays at Noon. If that time fits your schedule better, register here.
LEADINGAGE NEWS
Monday’s Online Coronavirus Policy Update January 11 AM at 2:30 PM CST
Dr. Larry Corey from the University of Washington, an internationally renowned expert in virology, immunology and vaccine development, will join our Monday policy update. Dr. Corey, who has been called a “global virology star,” has worked closely with Dr. Fauci and will tell us about what’s next on vaccines. Register now to join the update, which will be held three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Vaccines and Vaccinations: Legal and Operational Issues
LeadingAge members are among the first to get the vaccines for residents and staff. As a result, providers across settings are quickly determining how to handle the legal and operational issues surrounding vaccines and vaccinations. In this webinar, you will hear from general counsel from LeadingAge members as well as an outside legal expert. Register today to join us on January 21 at 2 p.m. ET.
Vaccine Town Hall for Assisted Living and Senior Housing Providers
Next Tuesday, January 12 at 12 p.m. ET, join LeadingAge, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Public Health, and the Baltimore City Health Department for a town hall for assisted living and senior housing administrators, managers, and staff. The event’s panel, including Ruth Link-Gelles from the Pharmacy Partnership Program and Dr. Joshua Sharfstein from JHU, will address the science behind vaccines, vaccination distribution, messaging strategies, infection prevention, and other vaccine updates. Learn more and register here.
LeadingAge and Abbott Training on BinaxNOW Testing Cards
Abbott will be hosting a training for LeadingAge and VNAA members on January 12 at 1 p.m. ET. The training will cover the Abbott BinaxNOW rapid testing cards, the affiliated NAVICA App, and the new at-home option for utilizing these tests. Register for the training here.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 GOLD PARTNER
