12/24/2020

Today's COVID-19 Report: Monday, December 28, 2020

Monday, December 28, 2020

Here are the latest need-to-know updates for Monday, December 28 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

A REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS

Check LeadingAge's FAQs and Resources on COVID-29 Vaccines and Issues Surrounding Vaccinations frequently. The most recent update includes Q&A on implications of mandating the vaccine for staff

In Today's Report

• All-member call at 11:00AM - TOMORROW, December 29: Vaccine experiences
• Vaccine Partners need vaccine count confirmed
• Guidance for providers on COVID-19 vaccine second doses
• ODH releases vaccine communication toolkit
• Long-Term Care Facility toolkit is now live

All-member call at 11:00AM - TOMORROW, December 29: Vaccine experiences

Tomorrow morning at 11:00AM, please join your fellow LeadingAge Ohio members to hear the experiences from two members (Otterbein Lebanon and Jennings) who have just completed their first vaccine clinic. During the call, each member will share how their vaccine clinic unfolded, including how many staff they needed to dedicate to the clinic, how it was run, and what they wished they had done differently to help the process run more smoothly. The call will also include member education efforts, incentive considerations, and open Q&A. Please register in advance for this call here.

Pharmacy Partners need vaccine count confirmed

Pharmacies are thawing vaccines based on the providers’ estimates and arriving to find smaller than expected staff wanting the vaccine. The result is hundreds of thawed doses with a rapidly approaching expiration date and the Administration must then quickly reallocate based on other priority groups.

The CDC is asking members participating in the Pharmacy Partnership to estimate numbers as accurately as possible and communicate them to pharmacies accordingly. Alerting the pharmacy partner a day or two in advance of changes can allow them to reduce the number of doses they’re thawing.

Guidance for providers on COVID-19 vaccine second doses

As Ohio is administering COVID-19 vaccines, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) offers the following reminders of processes to help providers ensure proper administration for second doses of vaccine when they are due. Reminders include tracking the vaccine manufacturer, as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine are not interchangeable, as well as ensuring at least 14 days between administration of the vaccine and any other vaccine. The tip sheet also includes information about provider reporting requirements made through the Ohio Impact Statewide Immunization Information System (ImpactSIIS).  

ODH releases vaccine communication toolkit

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has released a preliminary toolkit that has been developed with talking points, language tips, social media language, and trusted resources to help you better communicate about the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines that have arrived in Ohio. This initial kit will be expanded with additional resources, but is being provided now to support your immediate needs.

Long-Term Care Facility toolkit is now live

The long-awaited Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) Toolkit is live on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website! This toolkit is meant as a resource for explaining COVID-19 vaccination to both residents and staff in LTCFs. It includes resources for talking with staff, residents, and families, FAQs on the vaccines, and tips on how to prepare staff and vaccine safety monitoring and reporting.

Questions

Please send all questions to COVID19@leadingageohio.org. Additionally, members are encouraged to visit the LeadingAge Ohio COVID-19 Working Group facebook group to pose questions to peers and share best practices. LeadingAge is continuing its daily calls for all members.  To participate in these daily online updates, members should register here.  

LeadingAge Ohio is working to ensure that the information in our daily alerts, on our website, and all coronavirus-related communications is as accurate as possible. However, LeadingAge Ohio makes no guarantees about the accuracy of the information.