The DPH Weekly COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Bulletin released 7/23/2021 has important updates related to Ordering COVID-19 Vaccine in Smaller Increments. The updated guidance includes: As of 7/26/21, providers will be able to order COVID-19 vaccines in smaller increments. Providers should continue to place their orders in the Massachusetts Immunization Information System(MIIS). Only order doses that you will use within 30 days.

As the number of Covid-19 cases rise in communities across the Commonwealth, Mass Senior Care would like to remind nursing facilities to review and assess their infection prevention systems including redoubling efforts to increase vaccination rates; consider testing visitors and all unvaccinated staff prior to each shift using BinaxNow kits; and to develop staffing contingency plans in the event of an outbreak.

AHCA/NCAL will host a webinar on August 11 at 3 PM Eastern focused on the recent report, Invest in Trust: A Guide for Building COVID-19 Vaccine Trust Among Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). The report’s lead researcher will share key findings from the report that was commissioned by the AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network.

The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) announced updated guidance for fully vaccinated individuals yesterday. This policy is aimed at preventing transmission levels of the highly communicable and now predominant Delta variant.

The Stoughton Journal interviewed Steven Tyer, Administrator at Copley at Stoughton, and Mass Senior Care Board Member about how the nursing facility is emerging and moving on from the COVID-19 pandemic. “We had heroes,” Tyer said. “You know who you could count on. Some of the aides worked 60-hour weeks during the darkest days of the pandemic.”

The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) announced updated guidance for fully vaccinated individuals yesterday, AHCA/NCAL will host a webinar on August 11 at 3 PM Eastern focused on the recent report, Invest in Trust: A Guide for Building COVID-19 Vaccine Trust Among Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Mass Senior Care wanted to make you are aware of a virtual job fair that the MassHire system is hosting on August 16-20, 10AM-2PM each day, and director of nursing Input needed for a palliative care study.

This memo addresses preparing for wave 4, the 7/23/2021 DPH Weekly COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Bulletin, and a virtual job fair that the MassHire system is hosting on August 16-20, 10AM-2PM each day.

With the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in MA and across the country, Mass Senior Care wants to remind members to stay vigilant in your precautions to keep your residents and staff safe and protected. Facilities should follow the most up-to-date CDC, CMS and DPH guidelines and ensure continued use of infection control protocols, including proper use of personal protective equipment (including source control masks), social distancing, screening staff and visitors and testing.

MassHealth has updated the application packet for health benefits for seniors and people needing long-term-care services (SACA-2), effective July 2021. The following changes were made in the July 2021 version of the SACA-2: