The Pandemic Operational Recovery Guide for Health Centers and Free Clinics was written to assist health centers and free clinics in identifying and minimizing risks as they recover from operational disruptions related to a pandemic. The handbook contains links to tools as well as links to additional resources for a more comprehensive discussion of individual topics. Readers can refer to descriptive “Strategy” headings in each section, and consult the recommendations, tools, and resources that follow for more detailed information. Although some tools and resources focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, they can be adapted to respond to other public health emergencies.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is providing additional guidance through Health Alert 545 – 01-06-ADV for providers on COVID-19 vaccination. The information in this HAN should be used to supplement other relevant guidance documents and guide the implementation of public health expectations for vaccine providers. Key messages included in the guidance:

• There are two mRNA vaccines with 90-95% efficacy in preventing clinical COVID-19 currently available through an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA in the United States.
• The only absolute contraindication to COVID-19 vaccination is history of an immediate allergic reaction to either COVID-19 vaccine or any of their components.
• Severe adverse reactions are uncommon, but vaccine providers should be prepared for this rare event.
• Vaccine providers should report all adverse events following vaccination to Vaccine Adverse Event Recording System (VAERS).
• All COVID-19 mitigation measures should continue to be followed after vaccination.

Click here to access all the Pennsylvania health alerts, advisories and updates.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has posted an updated and expanded technical assistance publication addressing questions arising under the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The publication, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” now includes a new section providing information to employers and employees about how a COVID-19 vaccination interacts with the legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). This includes issues pertaining to medical pre-screening questions and employer accommodations for those unable to receive a vaccination.

Of nearly 2 million people who were vaccinated against COVID-19 during a 10-day period in December, only 21 people experienced severe allergic reactions, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported this week. Read more.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert about the potential for false results from a rapid COVID-19 test made by Curative Inc. False negative results, in particular, have been a concern. To reduce the risk of false negatives, the FDA emphasized the importance of following the test’s guidelines. Swabs should be limited to patients who have COVID-19 symptoms and who test within 14 days of when their symptoms start, and trained healthcare workers should oversee the sample collection. Also, a negative result doesn’t rule out COVID-19 and shouldn’t be used as the sole basis for treatment or patient management, the FDA wrote. The FDA also encouraged healthcare providers and patients to report problems with the Curative test, including suspected inaccurate results.

HRSA recently added a vaccines category to its COVID-19 FAQs webpage, which includes information on:

• Where health centers can find information about Medicare and Medicaid enrollment and reimbursement related to the administration of COVID-19 vaccines
• Considerations regarding the providers who can administer COVID-19 vaccines
• Liability protections when an individual who receives a vaccine has an adverse reaction

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Medical Assistance Programs has issued a new bulletin to inform pharmacies that the Medical Assistance (MA) Program will make payment to licensed pharmacists for the administration of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines to MA Program beneficiaries.