Update on COVID-19 Booster Dose Planning

Dear Administrators of Long-Term Care Facilities,

We are heading into the fall season with the possibility of a recommendation for COVID-19 booster doses. Our goal is to keep you updated on planning for the administration of COVID-19 booster doses. You may have heard information in the media about this, but there is still no recommendation for individuals to receive booster doses. We anticipate there will be more information on this before the end of September, which could include recommendations for booster doses in long-term care facilities. We’re continuing to plan for booster doses now because we want to be ready when the recommendation occurs. 

As previously noted, our booster dose planning is different from our initial COVID-19 vaccine planning as we have vaccine supply available and can coordinate for a more rapid dissemination plan for vaccinations. The national partnership using Walgreens and CVS for onsite vaccinations will not occur for this cycle of vaccinations (booster doses), but there are other resources available to help ensure vaccinations can be done at your facility. To help make the booster dose planning as efficient as possible, we ask that you continue do the following:

1. Update the facility list of residents/clients and staff with the name of the vaccine brand and the date they received their dose(s) of COVID-19 vaccine. We’re not sure if the recommendation will be to have the same vaccine for the booster dose or the exact time period for the booster.
2. Assess your organizational policies for vaccination of residents/clients. Although Washington does not require written consent for vaccinations, knowing your organizational policies for what your facility requires is important. For resident/clients who are unable to consent, discuss and plan with the appropriate family member/medical decision-maker now in order to prepare for administration of booster doses.

Consider the following for planning/accessing COVID-19 vaccines:

1. Population needs: If you are planning for on-site support with an external pharmacy or organization, make sure you are planning for all ongoing residents, including those living independently and in licensed units, as well as staff and volunteers. Also consider including individuals who may not be employed by you, but who access your campus/location to provide services or professional care for residents.
2. Long-term care pharmacy: Ensure ongoing discussion with your pharmacy or current vaccine partner as you do advanced planning. Since they already have access to vaccine, they may be your best source for booster dose planning.
3. If you don’t have a pharmacy relationship: The national partnership that coordinated for Walgreens/CVS to provide vaccinations will not be available for booster doses, but Washington has a lot of long term care pharmacies, community, and mobile resources available to support this work. Contact your local health jurisdiction to see if they have ideas or are working with local partners for onsite vaccinations. If you’re not sure about resources and do not currently have a plan for ongoing vaccinations, please take this short survey to let us know: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DQ5K9WV

 Influenza Vaccinations:  There was less influenza outbreak activity last year, which was good as we learned more about how to best reduce the impact of the COVID-19 virus. We’re concerned about influenza virus being more active this year. Fortunately, the influenza vaccine can be given at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage you to consider coordinating for onsite immunizations for your residents and staff. We are again recognizing facilities with the Flu Fighter Facility Award. More information including last year’s winners can be found on the Department of Health website via this link: Flu Fighter Facility Award :: Washington State Department of Health.

Announcing the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Immunization Champion Award: We want to celebrate you for the work you’ve done to provide a safer environment for your residents and staff by  reducing the spread of COVID-19 through vaccination. Registration for the summer award closed on September 3, 2021. Find more information and a list of our first quarter award winners (coming soon) on our DOH website: Long Term Care COVID-19 Immunization Champion Award :: Washington State Department of Health. 

DOH will provide additional information for planning and coordination, including any recommendations for booster doses as soon as available. You can also view our resource on Preparing for Possible COVID-19 Booster Doses in Long-Term Care Facilities. For more information, please contact JoAnn Parris or Kathy Bay at COVID.Vaccine@doh.wa.gov.

Thank you,
Kathy

Kathy Bay RN, CENP
Doctorate Nursing Practice
Clinical, Quality and School Section Manager
Office of Immunization
Washington State Department of Health
kathy.bay@doh.wa.gov
360-236-3540  www.doh.wa.gov