Making sure residents and staff receive the booster shot against COVID-19 remains the best way to combat the continued spread of the Delta variant and protect against the spread of the Omicron variant. Preliminary studies show the mRNA booster vaccine appears to work against both variants and that the effects of the booster kick in at about 10 days. COVID-19 booster doses are recommended for everyone aged 16 years and older.

Each week, more scientific evidence becomes available showing vaccinated people experience waning immunity. We also see increasing breakthrough cases among our residents who have not received the booster. The vaccines and booster are shown to be safe and highly effective, as they dramatically decrease the risk of developing serious illness, hospitalization, or death should you have a breakthrough case.

Also, as a reminder, CMS QSO memo 21-19-NH requires that “all residents and staff be offered the COVID-19 vaccine unless the immunization is medically contraindicated or the resident or staff member has already been immunized.” The memo also states that before the end of the year the agency will publicly post the rate of booster shots administered in each skilled nursing facility.

Resources to help with resident and staff boosters are available at AHCA’s #getvaccinated website.