The push to vaccinate staff took on added urgency in late May, as federal regulators issued a new rule requiring all long-term care providers to report COVID-19 vaccination data weekly. Rates for both staff and residents’ acceptance will be publicly reported.
In addition, the rule requires providers to educate staff and residents about vaccines and their potential side effects, as well as document those education efforts and when shots are offered.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new regulation became effective May 21. The reporting requirements apply to long-term care facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The agency said the mandate was designed to monitor uptake and help identify facilities that need additional COVID-19 resources. It is also seen as a tool to enhance transparency.
As data becomes available, CMS will post facility-specific vaccination status information on its public-facing COVID-19 Nursing Home Data website.
