Updated Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine Healthcare Personnel Health Officer Order and Resources (2024-2025 Respiratory Virus Season)

Dear Infection Prevention & Control Professionals:

 

With the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season approaching, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) would like to notify you that the Influenza and COVID-19 Healthcare Personnel Health Officer Order has been updated for the upcoming respiratory virus season (November 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025). This Order requires every Licensed Healthcare Facility and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider agency within the jurisdiction of LA County to require healthcare personnel (HCP) receive both an annual influenza immunization and the most recently updated COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in the United States by the FDA for the current respiratory virus season or wear a respiratory mask for the duration of the season while in contact with patients or working in patient-care areas. HCP in these facilities who decline the influenza and/or COVID-19 vaccine must also provide their employer, on a form provided by their employer, a written declaration that they have declined the vaccination(s).

 

Licensed healthcare facilities include all acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, emergency medical services (EMS) provider agencies, congregate living health facilities, chemical dependency recovery hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, dialysis centers, home health agencies, primary care clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, and hospice facilities in Los Angeles County. HCP applies to all persons, including paid and unpaid employees, contractors, students, volunteers, and EMS healthcare personnel who work in a prehospital setting or in areas where patient care is provided in a licensed healthcare facility subject to this upcoming Order or who otherwise have direct contact with patients at such a facility or prehospital setting. 

 

LAC DPH strongly encourages other unlicensed healthcare and direct care entities to voluntarily adopt the same measures for their employees to protect their personnel and patients during the respiratory virus season.

 

Please note, the Order remains in effect during each respiratory virus season, unless rescinded.

 

Additional resources that you may find helpful are attached and posted online, including:

 

• Frequently asked questions for the Health Officer Order
• Influenza webpage (including links to health educational materials, posters, etc.): http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/diseases/flu.htm#resources
• COVID-19 webpage: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

 

Should you have any questions regarding the letter or attachments, please feel free to contact our team. Thank you.

Outpatient Care Team

outpatient@ph.lacounty.gov

• 2024.08.26_HOO_RespiratoryVirusSeason_VaccinationOrMaskForHCP.pdf
• HOO_FAQ_2024 rev 8.26.24.pdf