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To: Maine Long-Term Care Facilities
From: Maine Immunization Program
Subject: Increasing COVID-19 Vaccination in LTC facilities
Date: December 22, 2022
As we enter the winter months with increasing cases of respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, there is a critical need to encourage older adults to receive the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 boosters, especially those living in long-term care settings (LTC). Older adults are at high risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
The updated (bivalent) COVID-19 boosters are the best protection against COVID-19 variants causing illness right now. We are seeing lower rates of vaccination in older adults (over 65 years of age) than at this time last year. We need your help to increase vaccination among those in long-term care facilities.
Here is how you can support efforts, as more health care providers and LTC facilities reach out to state and local health departments for vaccine assistance:
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Share this sample letter with LTC facilities so that they can share it with residents and their families. This letter provides information about COVID-19 vaccination and language to communicate and promote the facility’s efforts to provide access to the vaccine (e.g., onsite vaccination or driving residents to a vaccination site).
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Advocate for a strong and clear recommendation from the patient’s healthcare provider to help increase the likelihood that a patient will agree to be vaccinated.
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Ensure providers and facilities know that vaccinators such as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or home health agencies, who are COVID-19 providers, may be available to provide onsite vaccinations at LTC facilities. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will allow Medicare-enrolled immunizers, including but not limited to pharmacies working within the United States, to bill directly and receive direct reimbursement from the Medicare program for vaccinating Medicare LTC residents. This means that vaccinators such as EMTs or home health agencies may be available to provide onsite vaccinations at LTC facilities, helping provide much needed access to residents.
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Stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 data in your state or county, using CDC’s COVID-19 Data Tracker. This quick reference tracker provides information on COVID-19 cases, deaths, hospitalizations, testing, and vaccination.
Thank you and your colleagues for rolling up your sleeves to help health care providers and LTC facilities who serve older adults and help them stay protected from COVID-19.
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