Suspension of COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Health Care Workers

Dear Outpatient Providers,

Effective 8-11-23, the County Health Officer Order Masking in Healthcare and Direct Care Settings will be rescinded. This is in addition to the County Health Officer Order COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Health Care Workers that was rescinded on 8-4-23. It remains a strong recommendation that healthcare workers (HCW) stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and continue to mask especially in settings serving those at high risk or immunocompromised including long-term care and skilled nursing facilities. While these County orders are no longer in effect, Public Health continues to closely monitor COVID-19 and may change requirements at a future date depending on local conditions. This includes a proposal to add a new COVID-19 “vaccinate or mask” requirement to this winter’s HCW Influenza vaccination requirement, which has been in place annually since 2013. Pending FDA and CDC recommendations for an updated or annual COVID-19 vaccination this fall, this proposal would require HCW to either receive both a COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination or wear a well-fitting mask during the respiratory virus season.

 

Please note the County Health Officer order on COVID-19 reporting requirements is still in place and all facilities should continue to follow their setting-specific COVID-19 infection prevention and control guidance:

• Infection Prevention Guidance for Healthcare Personnel (including EMS)
• Guidelines for Preventing & Managing COVID-19 in Skilled Nursing Facilities
• COVID-19 Guidance for Community Care Facilities

 

These guidance pages above will be updated tomorrow to reflect these changes. Please let us know if you have any questions.

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Thank you,

LACDPH Outpatient Care Team