The Delta variant is highly transmissible and may cause more severe illness. They lower risk of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 and also prevent serious illness and death. a. In addition, 88% of Skilled Nursing Facility healthcare personnel have received at least one booster doseand 71% of staff at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation have completed their primary series. Accordingly, amendments to the original State Public Health Officer Order of August 5, 2021, to make boosters mandatory and to require additional testing of workers eligible for boosters who are not yet boosted, are necessary at this critical time. Non-compliant civil service workers subject to the. The, en Additional statewide directed measures are necessary to protect particularly vulnerable populations, and ensure a sufficient, consistent supply of workers in high-risk care settings. 10. By February 1, 2022, health care workers and all employees in high-risk congregate settings, including nursing homes, will be required to get their booster. c. For unvaccinated workers: signed declination forms with written health care provider's statement where applicable, as described in section (6) above. There also is an FAQ document for the health care worker public health order. For the most current testing requirements for the incarcerated, refer to the COVID-19 Interim Guidance. Vaccinations have been available in California from December 2020 to the present, and from January 1, 2021, to July 12, 2021, a total of 9,371 confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks and 113,196 outbreak-related cases were reported to CDPH. 2 min read. Clinics & Doctor Offices (including behavioral health, surgical), xiii. CCHCS civil service workers may submit a request to the CCHCS Disability Management Unit. In addition, Healthcare Workers must receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccination by March 1, 2022 or 15 days after becoming eligible (whichever date is . b. Workers not yet eligible for boosters must be in compliance no later than 15 days after the recommended timeframe above for receiving the booster dose. 15. The timing of required booster doses has been amended to reflect current CDC recommendations. Workers have a right to file a claim if they believe that they have suffered an injury or illness caused by work, including receiving a vaccination and/or booster for COVID-19. New and current registry/contract assignments and onboarding processes have been updated to reflect CDPH order requirements. By the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are listed at the At present 80% of Californians 12 years of age and older have completed their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, and 48% have received their first booster dose. Yes, workers who previously had COVID19 still need to get vaccinated and/or boosted if they are regularly assigned to work in the areas, institutions, posts and locations specified in the August 23, 2021 and January 28, 2022, memoranda, unless they have an approved religious or reasonable medical accommodation for the vaccine/booster. Increasing evidence shows that a combination of infection after completing the primary series of vaccination can build strong hybrid immunity. The terms of this Order supersede the August 5, 2021 State Health Officer Health Care Worker Vaccine Requirement Order. Individuals employed by these entities are not considered workers at CDCR prisons. For example: 1st offense: 5% salary reduction (example: 3 or 6 qualifying pay periods), 2nd offense: 5% salary reduction for longer period of time than first (example: 9 or 12 qualifying pay periods), 3rd offense: suspension without pay (example: 1424 or 25-36 qualifying work days). Also, it is more difficult to tell when dark-colored procedure masks get soiled and should be discarded. In addition, at the federal level, QSO-23-02-ALL (Revised Guidance for Staff Vaccination Requirements) currently requires all Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers ensure that all applicable staff are vaccinated with COVID19 primary series. Recent evidence also shows that among healthcare workers, vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection is also decreasing over time without boosters. Adult and senior care facilities, and settings within which direct care and services are provided, as identified in this order, are high-risk settings where COVID-19 transmission and outbreaks can have severe consequences for vulnerable populations resulting in hospitalization, severe illness, and death. New York enforcement . [1] Workers who provide proof of COVID-19 infection after completion of their primary series [2]may defer booster administration for up to 90 days from date of first positive test or clinical diagnosis, which in some situations, may extend the booster dose requirement beyond March 1st. Employers and workers subject to the requirement under section (1) must maintain records pursuant to the CDPH Guidance for Vaccine Records Guidelines & Standards with the following information: (1) full name and date of birth; (2) vaccine manufacturer; and (3) date of vaccine administration (for first dose and, if applicable, second dose). Workers shall not be removed from their assigned posts or positions. If a worker prefers a particular vaccination brand, they should make arrangements to get that vaccination brand timely. Workers may be exempt from the vaccination requirements under sections (1) and (2) only upon providing the operator of the facility a declination form, signed by the individual, stating either of the following: (1) the worker is declining vaccination based on Religious Beliefs, or (2) the worker is excused from receiving any COVID-19 vaccine due to Qualifying Medical Reasons. In March 2022, California announced the release of the state's SMARTER Plan, the next phase of California's COVID-19 response. Sacramento, CA 95899-7377, For General Public Information: The Delta variant is highly transmissible and causes more severe illness. In the case of workers in a facility, the facility is the employer. Fully-vaccinated workers who are not yet eligible for a booster are only required to test when they become eligible for a booster and remain unboosted. In March 2022, California announced the release of the state's SMARTER Plan, the next phase of California's COVID-19 response. Recent outbreaks in health care settings have frequently been traced to unvaccinated staff members. As we continue to learn more about post-Omicron infection immunity, hybrid immunity, waning immunity in general, and what new variants may evolve, we will continue to reassess COVID-19 vaccine requirements and recommendations. 5. There is frequent contact between staff or workers and highly vulnerable individuals, including elderly, chronically ill, critically ill, medically fragile, and people with disabilities. In addition, the recent emergence of the Omicron variant (it is estimated that approximately 70% of cases sequenced, nationally, are Omicron and rapid increases are occurring globally) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts, including testing, are needed to continue protecting against COVID-19. California Allows Health Care Workers To Defer Mandated Booster Shot Based on Recent Infection Wednesday, March 16, 2022 On February 22, 2022, the California Department of Public Health. Workers may obtain no-cost COVID-19 vaccination/booster from CDCR/CCHCS vaccine clinics. Booster-eligible and unboosted workers shall test twice-weekly (with 48-72 hours between each test), until boosted. Have been provided an approved religious or reasonable medical accommodation to the vaccine/booster. For instance, impacted persons were unable to get boosted while ill. Further, there are critical staffing shortages in some areas and additional flexibility is needed due to the fact that boosting can cause missed time from work due to side effects related to receiving booster doses. If the HA determines that the religious accommodation recommended by OCR will create an undue hardship for the Department, the HA shall specifically identify the reasons why the requested accommodation(s) creates an undue hardship for the Department and cannot be granted. COVID-19 vaccination causes a more predictable immune response than infection with the virus that causes COVID-19." Individuals are considered fully- vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks or more after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (e.g. Deadlines will not be extended because a CDCR/CCHCS clinic did not offer the workers desired vaccine brand. HAs shall initiate corrective or disciplinary action to workers who fail to comply with the instructions and timeframes outlined above. Federal regulations 42 CFR 483.80(d)(3) and 42 CFR 483.460(a)(4)(i) also require that Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs-IID) must offer COVID-19 vaccines to residents, clients, and staff onsite when supplies are available to the facility and in accordance with the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) COVID-19 vaccine schedule, which includes bivalent booster doses. In fact, recent data suggests that viral load is roughly 1,000 times higher in people infected with the Delta variant than those infected with the original coronavirus strain, according to a recent study. ii. WHO COVID-19 Vaccines webpage. Worker is fully-vaccinated, has/had a proven COVID-19 infection, and deferred booster administration by up to 90 days. CDPH continues to assess conditions on an ongoing basis. Workers may be exempt from the vaccination requirements under section (1) only upon providing the employer or employer-recipient a declination form, signed by the individual stating either of the following: (1) the worker is declining vaccination based on Religious Beliefs, or (2) the worker is excused from receiving any COVID-19 vaccine due to Qualifying Medical Reasons. Call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) to be routed to Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) volunteer clinicians. Covered workers must continue to comply with all required primary series and vaccine booster doses pursuant to Table A below. If booster-eligible, obtain vaccine booster dose within 15 calendar days and immediately undergo twice-weekly COVID-19 testing (with 48-72 hours between each test), until boosted. Since Thanksgiving, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by 34% and hospitalizations have increased by 17%. COVID-19 vaccination causes a more predictable immune response than infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.Conversely, the level of protection people get from COVID-19 infection alone may vary widely depending on how mild or severe their illness was, the time since their infection, which variant they were infected with, and their age. 2. Workers may obtain no-cost COVID-19 testing from CDCR/CCHCS testing clinic(s) at their institution/facility. Fully-vaccinated workers are only required to test when they become eligible for a booster but remain unboosted. The week begins Monday and ends on Sunday. Consistent with applicable privacy laws and regulations, an employer must maintain records of workers' vaccination or exemption status. Workers shall wear the appropriate mask at all times based on current masking guidelines as posted on the Lifeline COVID-19 page. CDPH continues to assess conditions on an ongoing basis. Workers have the option to submit a request for religious or reasonable medical accommodation for the vaccine/booster within 15 calendar days upon their return to work. The 2 big omicron trade-offs health care leaders must make Novavax is not authorized for use as a booster dose at this time, Booster dose at least 2 months and no more than 6 months after 1st dose, World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use listing COVID-19 vaccine, Booster dose at least 2 months and no more than 6 months after getting all recommended doses, Single booster dose of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Fully-vaccinated workers are only required to test when they become eligible for a booster but remain unboosted. Those workers currently eligible for booster doses per the Table above must receive their booster dose by no later than March 1, 2022. The state in August issued a first-in-the-nation requirement for health care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. On December 22, the California Department of Public Health issued an order that requires health care workers working at certain facilities to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to receive boosters by February 1 unless an exemption applies. Order of the State Public Health Officer Adult Care Facilities and Direct Care Worker Vaccine Requirement. Since the start of the pandemic, CDPH has led with science and data to better understand this disease. If not yet eligible for a vaccine booster, obtain booster dose no later than 15 calendar days after the recommended timeframe per Table A of the. 1-833-4CA4ALL A mix and match series composed of any combination ofFDA-approved, FDA-authorized, or WHO-EUL COVID-19 vaccines. The HA shall initiate and submit an electronic CDCR Form 989, Confidential Request for Internal Affairs Investigation/Notice of Direct Adverse Action, to the Office of Internal Affairs (OIA) within the Case Management System 4.0, consistent with CCR, Title 15, Section 3392, Employee Discipline, DOM, Chapter 3, Article 14, Internal Affairs Investigations, and DOM, Article 22, Employee Discipline. To ensure consistency of application, for the first offense, the base penalty is at least a. The CDPH has amended its mandatory vaccination requirement for workers in healthcare settings to account for booster shots, as follows: If a healthcare worker became eligible 1 for a booster on or before January 17, 2022, they must receive their booster shot by February 1, 2022. Yes, but only if booster-eligible and unboosted. The HA will initiate a CDCR Form 989, or if an adverse action has not yet been served on the prior CDCR Form 989, contact OIAs Central Intake Unit to add the new allegation(s) to the pending matter, and also provide a written instruction to the worker to comply with mandatory COVID-19 vaccine booster dose and/or twice-weekly testing requirements within seven calendar days. Facilities and employers may also still consider various screening strategies (point in time testing, serial testing, etc.) COVID-19 vaccination and boosters continue to remain the most important strategy to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19. a. and based on concerning levels of transmission locally. PO Box 997377 Operators of the facilities subject to the requirement under section (1) must maintain records pursuant to the CDPH Guidance for Vaccine Records Guidelines & Standards with the following information: (1) full name and date of birth; (2) vaccine manufacturer; and (3) date of vaccine administration (for first dose and, if applicable, second dose). b. access to online resources providing up to date information on COVID-19 science and research. Thecurrent State Public Health Officer Orderis ineffect untilApril 2, 2023. , Related Materials:Adult Care Facilities and Direct Care Worker Vaccine Requirement Q&A. Consequently, current vaccine requirements of staff in health care settings are not proving sufficient to prevent transmission of the more transmissible Omicron variant. The Delta variant is currently the most common variant causing new infections in California. For fully-vaccinated workers not yet eligible for a booster, the disciplinary process may commence on the 16. The COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant challenge in California. Vaccine coverage is also high among workers in high-risk settings, and the proportion of unvaccinated workers is low. COVID-19 Response, Facial Coverings, FAQs, Testing, Testing, Vaccination, Note: Unless otherwise specified, the requirements in this FAQ only apply to workers described in Question 1, and are based on the CDPH Order for State And Local Correctional Facilities and Detention Centers Health Care Worker Vaccination Requirement, hereby referred to as CDPH Order.. Workers who are newly coming into compliance with the State and Local healthcare worker vaccine requirements must receive their booster dose within 15 days after becoming eligible. Federal regulations 42 CFR 483.80(d)(3) and 42 CFR 483.460(a)(4)(i) also require that Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs-IID) must offer COVID-19 vaccines to residents, clients, and staff onsite when supplies are available to the facility and in accordance with the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) COVID-19 vaccine schedule, which includes bivalent booster doses. and based on concerning levels of transmission locally. Thus CDPH is updating its order requiring health care workers to be fully vaccinated and boosted by March 1, 2022 to allow delay of the March 1, 2022 deadline for receiving a booster for covered workers with proof of a recent infection for up to 90 days from date of infection. to Default, Order-of-the-State-Public-Health-Officer-Adult-Care-Facilities-and-Direct-Care-Worker-Vaccine-Requirement, About the Viral and Rickettsial Disease Lab, CDER Information for Health Professionals, Communicable Disease Emergency Response Program, DCDC Information for Local Health Departments, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch, VRDL Guidelines for Specimen Collection and Submission for Pathologic Testing, State of CaliforniaHealth and Human Services Agency, This State Public Health Officer Order will takeeffect onApril 3, 2023. A request for religious accommodation may be submitted by the worker in writing via a CDCR Form 2273, Request for Religious Accommodation, or verbally to a supervisor, manager, or EEO Coordinator. As we respond to the dramatic increase in cases, all health care workers must be vaccinated to reduce the chance of transmission to vulnerable populations. California must be vigilant to maintain situational awareness through surveillance and be ready to pause or reinstate a higher level of protective mitigation recommendations or requirements. By the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are listed at the FDA COVID-19 Vaccines webpage. to Default, Order-of-the-State-Public-Health-Officer-Health-Care-Worker-Vaccine-Requirement, About the Viral and Rickettsial Disease Lab, CDER Information for Health Professionals, Communicable Disease Emergency Response Program, DCDC Information for Local Health Departments, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch, VRDL Guidelines for Specimen Collection and Submission for Pathologic Testing, State of CaliforniaHealth and Human Services Agency, This State Public Health Officer Order will takeeffect onApril 3, 2023. This includes workers serving in residential care or other direct care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to persons in care or SARS-CoV-2 airborne aerosols. Yes, if they are regularly assigned to work in the areas, institutions, posts and locations specified in the August 23, 2021 and January 28, 2022, memoranda. Novavax is not authorized for use as a booster dose at this time, A mix and match series composed of any combination of FDA-approved, FDA-authorized, or WHO-EUL COVID-19 vaccines, Booster dose at least2 months and no more than6 monthsafter getting all recommended doses, Order of the State Public Health Officer Health Care Worker Vaccine Requirement. Healthcare personnel staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters remains the most important strategy to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19. On August 11th and August 24th , the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in updated New York on Friday became the latest state to delay its mandate for health care workers to receive Covid-19 vaccine boosters. Unvaccinated persons are more likely to get infected and spread the virus, which is transmitted through the air. 1. Skilled Nursing Facilities (including Subacute Facilities), vi. Workers shall be held accountable based on the CDPH order timeframes, and no disciplinary action shall be pursued prior to the workers booster eligibility date as specified in Table A of the CDPH order. The operator of the facility then also must maintain records of the worker's testing results, if testing is required, pursuant to section (4). LA County COVID-19 Data and Reports LA County Daily COVID-19 Data webpage [2]To provide proof of prior infection, workers must provide documentation of previous diagnosis from a healthcare provider or confirmed laboratory results. To ensure consistency of application, the base penalty will remain Level 3 but resulting penalties shall be adjusted in accordance with progressive discipline policies, in particular considering the number of repeated instances of misconduct. 7. The employer must provide such records to the local or state Public Health Officer, the California Department of Social Services, or their designee promptly upon request, and in any event no later than the next business day after receiving the request. To be eligible for a Qualified Medical Reasons exemption the worker must also provide to their employer a written statement signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or other licensed medical professional practicing under the license of a physician stating that the individual qualifies for the exemption (but the statement should not describe the underlying medical condition or disability) and indicating the probable duration of the worker's inability to receive the vaccine (or if the duration is unknown or permanent, so indicate). Yes. Consequently, although COVID-19 remains with us, I am rescinding the September 28, 2021 State Public Health Officer Order effective April 3, 2023. There has been a growing body of evidence suggesting that a combination of history of SarsCoV2 vaccination and infection can lead to a strong "hybrid" immunity after recovery from infection. Reasonable Medical Accommodations: CDCR civil service workers shall notify their supervisor and Return-to-Work Coordinator of their request. However, additional statewide facility-directed measures are necessary to protect particularly vulnerable populations, and ensure a sufficient, consistent supply of workers in high-risk health care settings. When the CDCR Form 989 is submitted through the OIAs Case Management System, the HA shall also provide written instruction to the worker to comply with the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine booster dose and/or twice-weekly testing requirements, within seven calendar days. According to the CDC " getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a safer and more dependable way to build immunity to COVID-19 than getting sick with COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has led with science and data to better understand COVID-19. California has seen a dramatic increase in the percentage of Californians that are fully vaccinated and boosted. At present, 69.34% of Californians 12 years of age and older are fully vaccinated with an additional 8.26% are partially vaccinated. k Consequently, mandated testing of the small number of unvaccinated workers is not effectively preventing disease transmission as it did with the original COVID-19 virus and prior variants earlier in the pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing infection and serious disease. All CDCR/CCHCS civil service workers, registry providers, contractors, and volunteers who: No, workers who are not subject to the CDPH Order are not required to be vaccinated/boosted. Although COVID-19 vaccination remains effective in preventing severe disease, recent data suggest vaccination becomes less effective over time at preventing infection or milder illness with symptoms, especially in people aged 65 years and older. 3. 9. If the worker provides services across multiple households, then the exception does not apply, and the worker must adhere to the provisions of this Order. In addition, 88% of Skilled Nursing Facility healthcare personnel have received at least one booster doseand 71% of staff at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation have completed their primary series. Espaol, - Returning workers who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unboosted shall be informed of the vaccination clinic schedule and provided written instructions to comply with mandatory COVID-19 vaccine, booster and testing requirements. for health care workers, here. guidance, also indicated that screening testing is no longer recommended in general community settings, and while screening testing may still be considered in high-risk settings, if implemented it should include all persons, irrespective of vaccination status, given the recent variants and subvariants with significant immune evasion. Yes, if they are regularly assigned to work in the areas, institutions, posts and locations specified in the August 23, 2021 and January 28, 2022, memoranda. d. Testing records (when required) pursuant to section (4) must be maintained. Upon returning to work, workers shall immediately be provided written instructions to comply with mandatory COVID-19 vaccine, booster and testing requirements as follows. a. Consequently, mandated testing of the small number of unvaccinated workers is not effectively preventing disease transmission as it did with the original COVID-19 virus and prior variants earlier in the pandemic. Can health care services still be delivered?). In the case of certified home health aides and affiliated home care aides, the home health agencies and home care organizations are the employer. Yes, incarcerated workers shall wear the appropriate mask at all times based on current masking guidelines. Yes, the worker shall be exempt from progressive discipline pending the HAs determination on a request for accommodation. Direct Care Worker and information regarding the Pf-i19zer COVID Vaccine Boos ter. Vaccine coverage is also high among workers in high-risk settings, and the proportion of unvaccinated workers is low. Note: During a COVID-19 outbreak, all workers may be subject to more frequent and regular intervals of COVID-19 testing regardless of vaccination status. Thus CDPH is updating its order requiring health care workers to be fully vaccinated and boosted by March 1, 2022 to allow delay of the March 1, 2022 deadline for receiving a booster for covered workers with proof of a recent infection for up to 90 days from date of infection. Booster mandate issued for California health care workers December 22, 2021, 10:44 AM Gov. (1-833-422-4255). All non-custody institution workers vaccination/booster status will be verified by management if required to work in a vaccination/booster-required post. For these reasons, COVID-19 remains a concern to public health and, in order to prevent its further spread in adult and senior care facilities and in-home direct care settings, new public health requirements are necessary at this time. Further, the settings in this order share several features. Since March 2022, healthcare personnel booster rates reached 90%. b. Two-dose vaccines include: Pfizer-BioNTech,Moderna, or Novavaxor vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization. Under the new policy, health care workers will be required to get a booster shot by Feb. 1, and be tested twice a week until then, if they haven't already received one. At present, 80% of Californians 12 years of age and older have completed their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, and 62% have also received at least their first booster dose. The timing of required booster doses has been amended to reflect current CDC recommendations. Sacramento, CA 95899-7377, For General Public Information: Nothing in this Order limits otherwise applicable requirements related to Personal Protective Equipment, personnel training, and infection control policies and practices. Standard language for the CDCR Form 989 has been developed to assist HAs and to expedite processing of these requests through the OIA Central Intake Unit process; please consult with the local EEO/HCERO. Workers not yet eligible for boosters must be in compliance no later than 15 days after the recommended timeframe above for receiving the booster dose. Reset While awaiting determination, workers shall continue reporting to work, wear the appropriate mask at all times based on current masking guidelines as posted on the Lifeline COVID-19 page, and test twice-weekly (with 48-72 hours between each test), until fully-vaccinated or until boosted (if booster-eligible).