As U.S. health officials announced Wednesday that they would begin offering booster shots to Americans this fall, nursing homes began preparing for another vaccination push.
The Biden administration said anyone who had received their COVID-19 vaccine at least eight months prior would be eligible for a booster shot, pending federal approvals, starting the week of Sept. 20, meaning that healthcare providers, nursing home residents and seniors would be among the first eligible.
Health officials said they will begin to directly deliver booster shots to residents of long-term care facilities at that time.
Tausha Moore, director of public relations for ProMedica, said the system started offering the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccines at its hospital-based vaccine clinics Thursday to individuals who are immunocompromised. She said ProMedica anticipates offering the booster shot to patients and residents once it receives approval.
"ProMedica participated in the research regarding antibodies and boosters for our senior care population. The evidence shows seniors in the post-acute space do not create adequate antibodies, and the booster will add an additional layer of protection for these frail individuals," Moore said.
Last week, the Biden administration also recommended booster shots for immunocompromised individuals, including those with cancer or who have received an organ transplant.
Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, which represents more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the U.S., said he appreciated the inclusion of long-term care residents and staff in the national plan for booster shots.
"Nursing homes and assisted living communities care for our nation's most vulnerable when it comes to this virus, so they and their caregivers must be prioritized and have efficient access to the vaccines," Parkinson said.
AHCA/NCAL will continue to work with public health officials to try to streamline the process for administering booster shots in long-term care, he added.
"In the meantime, we must remain vigilant, especially in the face of Delta and continue to promote uptake among currently unvaccinated staff and residents," Parkinson said.
On Wednesday, the Biden administration also unveiled plans requiring nursing home staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19, tying nursing home facilities' Medicare and Medicaid funding to staff vaccinations.
Nan Impink, spokesperson for SavaSeniorCare Administrative and Consulting, said the company is working on protocols for administering the third dose of the vaccines to its immunocompromised residents and staff, as well as other individuals who have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer of Moderna vaccines.
"We anticipate that we will start to vaccinate the first group as early as next week, once we have identified those individuals who meet the definition of severely to moderately immunocompromised. We will then be prepared to offer booster vaccinations to the general population of residents and staff," Impink said.
SavaSeniorCare is working with its pharmacy provider, CVS Omnicare, to make sure it can get both vaccines for residents and staff, and already has a phased mandatory vaccination plan in place for staff.
Carol Hulgan, chief nursing officer for Life Care Centers of America, said the company will continue to monitor the CDC and FDA for any new or changed guidance or recommendations.
"We are working closely with our pharmacy partners and residents' attending physicians to administer any needed boosters," Hulgan said.
