Category: get vaccinated

Prevention of Respiratory Virus Transmission This Holiday Season

With the holiday season upon us, long term care (LTC) facilities and communities across the country will experience increased resident and family visitation, social engagement, and resident activities. This is an important time for residents to connect with their families and loved ones. However, it is also a challenging time for LTC providers as they strive to keep residents safe from respiratory viruses commonly spread during the winter months.

Here are a few simple steps LTC providers can take to prepare for increased holiday visitation:

1.) ​Communicate Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Practices to Visitors
LTC providers should communicate active infection prevention and control practices to visitors. For example, if the transmission​​ of COVID-19 is high in the community or if the facility/community​ is experiencing an outbreak, they may implement source control masking. Policies like these should be communicated through posters, newsletters, and other forms of communication. Whenever possible, explain the rationale behind these policies to visitors to improve adherence.

2.) Ensure Adequate Resources
LTC providers should ensure access to supplies needed to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses and respond effectively to an outbreak. This includes:

  • Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) and source control masks (for use by residents, staff, and visitors)
  • Access to rapid COVID-19 and influenza testing
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gowns and gloves, in case of an outbreak

3.) Monitor and Mask
LTC providers should use the CDC respiratory virus tracking website to monitor respiratory virus transmission in their local area. When transmission levels are high, LTC providers may consider implementing mask guidance for staff, residents, and guests. Note that respiratory viruses are often most contagious just before symptoms appear, underscoring the importance of masking when local transmission rates are elevated.​

The CDC’s Project Firstline has developed two poster options (option 1 and option 2) that facilities can use to promote mask usage within the facility.

4.) Follow CDC Guidance to Monitor and Prevent Spread
LTC providers should actively watch for new cases to identify additional ill residents or health care personnel (HCP) through symptom screening and evaluating potential exposures. For SARS-CoV-2 infections, testing exposed individuals is recommended, even if they are asymptomatic.

If a respiratory infection is identified in a resident or HCP, facilities should refer to CDC guidance for specific infection control practices based on the respiratory virus:

5.) Remind residents and staff that vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk from respiratory viruses. Ensure that new admissions since your last vaccine clinic are offered vaccinations. All four vaccines—pneumonia, influenza, RSV, and COVID-19—are highly beneficial for residents.

For more information on infection prevention and control practices, visit AHCA/NCAL’s ​GetVaccinated.us​ and HHS’s Risk Less. Do More. campaign pages.​

​

New #GetVaccinated Promotional Graphics and Posters Now Available

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has released new promotional materials to support its #GetVaccinated campaign for the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season. 

These resources, including downloadable posters and graphics, are designed to encourage residents, staff, and caregivers to stay up to date with their immunizations for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Posters can be displayed throughout your facility or printed as flyers to share with residents and families. The graphics, located under the Communication and Promotion section of GetVaccinated.us, are also perfect for newsletters, websites, or social media. 
 
The #GetVaccinated campaign, supported by Moderna, equips long term care providers with tools to protect their communities year-round. AHCA/NCAL also collaborates with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Risk Less. Do More. campaign to promote the latest vaccine recommendations. 
 
The campaign also features the public service announcement (PSA) video, “Stronger Together,” which highlights how vaccination helps us safely enjoy life’s special moments. Available in 30-second and 15-second formats, the PSA can be used on closed-circuit television or shared on social media. 
 
Visit GetVaccinated.us to explore these resources and enhance your vaccination efforts today. 

CDC Updates Guidance for COVID and Pneumonia Vaccines

​​The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Mandy Cohen has endorsed two new recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the COVID and pneumonia vaccines. 

NEW COVID Recommendations:  
  • People 65 years and older, as well as those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, should receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months after their first dose.  
  • The updated guidance provides flexibility, allowing additional doses (e.g., three or more) for individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, in consultation with their health care provider (a strategy known as shared clinical decision-making). 
 
The CDC states that data continue to confirm the importance of vaccination in protecting those most at risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes. Receiving the recommended 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine can restore and enhance protection against the virus variants currently causing the majority of infections and hospitalizations in the United States. COVID-19 vaccination also reduces the chance of developing Long COVID, a condition that can occur during or after acute infection and persist for an extended period. 
 
NEW Pneumonia Recommendation:  
  • Lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination from 65 to 50 years. 
The CDC explains that lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination allows more adults to protect themselves from pneumococcal disease at the age when the risk of infection significantly increases. Pneumococcal bacteria can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. Older adults are at a heightened risk for pneumococcal disease. 
 
Visit the CDC website for more information. Additional vaccine resources and news can also be found at AHCA/NCAL’s GetVaccinated.us​.
​

RSV: Why It’s Different and Why It Matters for Long Term Care

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that impacts long term care residents each year. RSV is more common during the fall and winter months, similar to influenza (flu).
RSV Impact 
Each year, it is estimated that between 60,000 and 160,000 older adults in the United States are hospitalized, and 6,000 to 10,000 die due to RSV infection. Similar to the flu and COVID-19, RSV is more dangerous for older adults due to their age, weakened immune systems, and other underlying health conditions. RSV can lead to lung infections, pneumonia, and worsening of other conditions such as asthma, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
RSV Vaccine 
In May of 2023, the first vaccine for RSV was introduced in the United States. The CDC recommends was introduced in the United States. The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine if you are aged 75 or older, or if you are aged 60 to 74 and have a risk factor for severe RSV disease, including living in a long term care facility. The RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, meaning if you received the RSV vaccine last year, you do not need to get it again this year.
Eligible adults can get an RSV vaccine at any time, but the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall. This timing ensures you’re protected by the time RSV starts to spread in your community and ensures you get maximum protection during the winter months.
Symptoms of RSV 
According to the CDC, people infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include a runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once.
Diagnosis and Treatment 
Unlike flu or COVID-19, antiviral treatment is not recommended for RSV. This is one of the reasons that getting vaccinated is so important in reducing the severity of an RSV infection.
Since antiviral treatment is not available, many providers do not test patients for RSV. However, molecular and antigen diagnostic tests do exist. The CDC recommends that providers consider testing for RSV when residents with acute respiratory illness test negative for both influenza and COVID-19.
Infection Control Practices 
When residents have any symptoms, facilities should refer to CDC’s Infection Control Basics and apply Transmission Based Precautions.
The bottom line is that RSV poses a threat to long term care residents, and its symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19 and flu. The most important thing providers can do is encourage vaccination among residents for RSV and follow CDC guidance in preventing and managing outbreaks in the facility. The CDC viral respiratory pathogens toolkit is a great resource for handling all three common respiratory viruses.
Visit GetVaccinated.us for additional resources to help prepare for the upcoming respiratory virus season.
HHS has also launched a new campaign to educate the public on the importance of vaccination. The Risk Less, Do More campaign has resources to help providers discuss vaccines and prevention with staff and residents.

​