Nursing homes to require all workers be vaccinated – state/fed new rules

The federal HHS program is developing new regulations requiring nursing homes to require that all of their workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. This new policy, announced by an address of President Biden on Wednesday afternoon.

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) also announced on Wednesday that all employees, interns, and volunteers in RIDOH-licensed healthcare facilities and all RIDOH-licensed healthcare providers must receive their final dose of COVID-19 vaccine by October 1, 2021, effective August 18th.

“The most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, is vaccination,” said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH. “For the safety of our healthcare workers, patients, and for our healthcare system overall, today’s announcement is a very important step.”

The regulation applies to staff at RIDOH-licensed health care facilities, including those with direct patient contact and those who may not be involved in patient care. It also applies to individually licensed providers who utilize their license as part of their position in a healthcare facility. Prior to October 1st, any worker in a RIDOH-licensed healthcare facility who is not vaccinated is required to wear a face mask and be tested at least twice weekly.

RIDOH-licensed facilities

Workers in RIDOH-licensed facilities must be vaccinated before October 1st. Workers in RIDOH-licensed facilities who are not vaccinated by October 1st will not be allowed to enter a healthcare facility unless they provide proof of a medical exemption. Employees in violation of this regulation may face financial penalties and/or suspension/revocation of the facility’s license, in addition to disciplinary action by the affected employer against individual employees who do not comply.

RIDOH-licensed healthcare providers

All RIDOH-licensed healthcare providers who work in a healthcare setting must be vaccinated as of October 1st. Those who are not vaccinated by October 1st may be subject to financial penalties and/or suspension/revocation of their license (unless they provide proof of a medical exemption).

The COVID-19 healthcare worker vaccination regulations and additional resources are available online.

At Rhode Island facilities

Several nursing homes are welcoming the stringent and clear direction from the RI Department of Health. One nursing home is struggling with over 40 unvaccinated staff – who say they will never be vaccinated. Administrators know that if they let these staff go, then they will have a major staffing crunch.

In Massachusetts, facilities who fail to comply will be fined $50 per day per person unvaccinated.

There are reports of increased virus spread in a few nursing homes – two of which were confirmed.

Governor McKee will brief the state Thursday afternoon – we will carry it live on our Facebook page.