This Order is issued pursuant to Health and Safety Code sections 120125, 120140, 120175,120195 and 131080 and other applicable law. The COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant challenge in California. Since the start of the pandemic, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has led with science and data to better understand this disease. and based on concerning levels of transmission locally. Based on the emergence of Omicron, additional statewide facility-directed measures are necessary to ensure we maintain adequate staffing levels within our healthcare delivery system. Healthcare personnel staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters remains the most important strategy to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19. Upon determination by their vendor/contractor/network contractor, denials and/or approvals (with corresponding signed medical statements) shall be emailed to the Direct Care Contracts Section (DCCS). Two-dose vaccines include: Pfizer-BioNTech,Moderna or Novavaxor vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization. Federal regulations 42 CFR 483.80(d)(3) and 42 CFR 483.460(a)(4)(i) also require that Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs-IID) must offer COVID-19 vaccines to residents, clients, and staff onsite when supplies are available to the facility and in accordance with the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) COVID-19 vaccine schedule, which includes bivalent booster doses. For CDCR, requests shall be submitted in accordance with the process outlined above. All individuals in subdivisions (a) through (e) must have the first dose of a one-dose regimen or the second dose of a two-dose regimen by November 30, 2021. a. Consequently, mandated testing of the small number of unvaccinated workers is not effectively preventing disease transmission as it did with the original COVID-19 virus and prior variants earlier in the pandemic. Note: During a COVID-19 outbreak, all workers may be subject to more frequent and regular intervals of COVID-19 testing regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, facilities must continue to track workers' vaccination or exemption status to ensure they are complying with these requirements. 8. By the World Health Organization (WHO), are listed at the Introduction to State Public Health Officer Order of September 13, 2022. In the interim, all health care staff that have not received their booster must test for COVID-19 twice weekly until they are up to date on their vaccines. Workers as defined above shall not be subject to discipline or assignment termination. Increasing evidence shows that a combination of infection after completing the primary series of vaccination can build strong hybrid immunity. ii. a. 6. Staff working at or visiting Headquarters, Regional, and Field Office locations shall follow current non-institutional masking guidelines. No. The state in August issued a first-in-the-nation requirement for health care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Gov. Pediatric Day Health and Respite Care Facilities, xiv. Throughout the process, mitigating and aggravating factors shall be considered and applied in accordance with the employee discipline policy as outlined in DOM. Additionally, there is immunological data suggesting that allowing an adequate interval between an infection and a COVID-19 vaccination dose may be important to allow quality immune memory. This change was necessary because of challenges caused by the Omicron surge that made it difficult for some to obtain their booster doses by the initial deadline. to Default, Order-of-the-State-Public-Health-Officer-Adult-Care-Facilities-and-Direct-Care-Worker-Vaccine-Requirement, About the Viral and Rickettsial Disease Lab, CDER Information for Health Professionals, Communicable Disease Emergency Response Program, DCDC Information for Local Health Departments, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch, VRDL Guidelines for Specimen Collection and Submission for Pathologic Testing, State of CaliforniaHealth and Human Services Agency, This State Public Health Officer Order will takeeffect onApril 3, 2023. Accordingly, amendments to the original State Public Health Officer Order of December 22, 2021, are needed at this time, to reflect current science and understandingas it relates to hybrid immunity in those who are fully vaccinated and then become infected. The stay temporarily halts enforcement of the ruling last month from state Supreme Court Judge Gerald Neri in Syracuse that declared the health worker . Although COVID-19 vaccination remains effective in preventing severe disease, recent data suggest vaccination becomes less effective over time at preventing infection or milder illness with symptoms, especially in people aged 65 years and older. Workers may be exempt from the vaccination requirements under section (1) only upon providing the employer or employer-recipient a declination form, signed by the individual stating either of the following: (1) the worker is declining vaccination based on Religious Beliefs, or (2) the worker is excused from receiving any COVID-19 vaccine due to Qualifying Medical Reasons. At present, 69.34% of Californians 12 years of age and older are fully vaccinated with an additional 8.26% are partially vaccinated. To ensure consistency of application, for the first offense, the base penalty is at least a. A state appeals court issued a stay Monday that will keep New York's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health workers in place during an ongoing court battle. As we've also seen, the Omicron subvariants have shown immune escape and increased transmissibility, and while unvaccinated individuals still have higher risk of infection, previously infected, vaccinated, and boosted persons have also been infected. d. Testing records (when required) pursuant to section (4) must be maintained. Nothing in this Order limits otherwise applicable requirements related to Personal Protective Equipment, personnel training, and infection control policies and practices. Yes, if they are regularly assigned to work in the areas, institutions, posts and locations specified in the August 23, 2021 and January 28, 2022, memoranda. Reasonable Medical Accommodations: CDCR civil service workers shall notify their supervisor and Return-to-Work Coordinator of their request. In addition, 88% of Skilled Nursing Facility healthcare personnel have received at least one booster doseand 71% of staff at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation have completed their primary series. On December 22, 2021, this Order was amended to make boosters mandatory for covered workers and to require additional testing of workers eligible for boosters who are not yet boosted. No. Recent outbreaks in health care settings have frequently been traced to unvaccinated staff members. Work at California Health Care Facility (CHCF), California Medical Facility (CMF), and regularly assigned to work in Central California Womens Facilitys (CCWF) SNF. If booster-eligible, obtain vaccine booster dose within 15 calendar days and immediately undergo twice-weekly COVID-19 testing (with 48-72 hours between each test), until boosted. The same process outlined above shall be followed. Unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated workers who are NOT regularly assigned in healthcare areas shall test at least once weekly until fully-vaccinated per the July 26, 2021, CDPH Order. For these reasons, COVID-19 remains a concern to public health and, in order to prevent its further spread in hospitals, SNFs, and other health care settings, new public health requirements are necessary at this time. . Novavax is not authorized for use as a booster dose at this time. The COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant challenge in California. Workers who initially received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are recommended to receive the booster two months after their initial dose. Decrease, Reset Those workers currentlyeligible for booster doses per the Table above must receive their booster dose by no later than March 1, 2022. MS 0500 The one-dose vaccine is: Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen. On August 11th and August 24th , the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in updated It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. a. Custody workers shall be notified of a posts vaccination/booster requirement prior to bidding. a. c. "Worker" refers to all paid and unpaid individuals who work in indoor settings where (1) care is provided to patients, or (2) patients have access for any purpose. However, additional statewide facility-directed measures are necessary to protect particularly vulnerable populations, and ensure a sufficient, consistent supply of workers in high-risk health care settings. 4. MS 0500 13. Most current hospitalizations and deaths are among unvaccinated persons. 15. Individuals are considered fully- vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks or more after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (e.g. 1-833-4CA4ALL Workers include, but are not limited to, direct supportive services staff, hospice providers, nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, technicians, therapists, WPCS providers, IHSS providers, registered home care aides, certified home health aides, students and trainees, contractual staff not employed by the residential facility, and persons not directly involved in providing care or services, but who could be exposed to infectious agents that can be transmitted in the care setting (e.g., clerical, clergy, dietary, environmental services, laundry, security, engineering and facilities management, administrative, billing, cosmetology, personal training and volunteer personnel). LA County's COVID emergency ends March 31. For IHSS workers, WPCS workers, and independent registered home care aides, the worker must maintain relevant records as provided in this section. Since March 2022, healthcare personnel booster rates reached 90%. Accordingly, amendments to the original State Public Health Officer Order of December 22, 2021, are needed at this time, to reflect current science and understanding as it relates to hybrid immunity in those who are fully vaccinated and then become infected. If unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or booster-eligible but unboosted, the returning worker shall obtain vaccine/booster dose within 15 calendar days and immediately undergo twice-weekly COVID-19 testing (with 48-72 hours between each test) until fully-vaccinated/ boosted. Decrease, Reset Workers not yet eligible for boosters must be in compliance no later than 15 days after the recommended timeframe above for receiving the booster dose. The CDPH recommends workers who initially received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine to receive the booster six months after their second dose. Operators of the facilities subject to the requirement under section (1) must maintain records pursuant to the CDPH Guidance for Vaccine Records Guidelines & Standards with the following information: (1) full name and date of birth; (2) vaccine manufacturer; and (3) date of vaccine administration (for first dose and, if applicable, second dose). [1] Workers who provide proof of COVID-19 infection after completion of their primary series [2]may defer booster administration for up to 90 days from date of first positive test or clinical diagnosis, which in some situations, may extend the booster dose requirement beyond March 1st. California's path forward will be predicated on individual, smarter actions that will collectively yield better outcomes for our neighborhoods, communities, and state. PO Box 997377 COVID-19 Response, Facial Coverings, FAQs, Testing, Testing, Vaccination, Note: Unless otherwise specified, the requirements in this FAQ only apply to workers described in Question 1, and are based on the CDPH Order for State And Local Correctional Facilities and Detention Centers Health Care Worker Vaccination Requirement, hereby referred to as CDPH Order.. 8. Are regularly assigned to provide health care or health care services to incarcerated people. Workers not yet eligible for boosters must be in compliance no later than 15 days after the recommended timeframe above for receiving the booster dose. The worker has a right under the Departments EEO policy to file a discrimination complaint internally via OCR or externally via EEOC/ Department of Fair and Equal Housing (DFEH). Worker has been continuously off-work from the time the. CDCR and CCHCS workers shall not be subject to progressive discipline for the following reasons: Yes, while the worker is pending corrective or disciplinary action, the worker should continue to report to work as scheduled. For instance, impacted persons were unable to get boosted while ill. Further, there are critical staffing shortages in some areas and additional flexibility is needed due to the fact that boosting can cause missed time from work due to side effects related to receiving booster doses. Accordingly, amendments to the original State Public Health Officer Order of September 28, 2021, to make boosters mandatory and to require additional testing of workers eligible for boosters who are not yet boosted are necessary at this critical time. Workers may also consider routine diagnostic screening testing if they have underlying immunocompromising conditions (e.g., organ transplantation, cancer treatment), due to the greater risks such individuals face if they contract COVID-19: a.