As previously reported, the DPH has proposed amendments to several regulations, to standardize COVID-19 and influenza vaccination requirements across all licensed health care facility settings including 105 CMR 150.000 Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities With the proposed amendments, staff will need to be vaccinated with both COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, unless an individual is subject to an exemption. Staff may be exempt if they decline for any reason (medical contraindication, religious beliefs, personal reasons, or other). DPH will hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments to these regulations on August 1, 2023, at 10:00 AM.
Additional information on the proposed amendments, including copies of the proposed language, can be found here. Information on the hearing and the process for submitting written testimony can be found here. All comments must be submitted to DPH by 5:00 p.m. on August 1, 2023.