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COVID-19

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Message from the Department of Health (PA DOH):

With the recent rise in COVID-19 case counts across the Commonwealth and the country, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) wants long-term care facilities (LTCFs) to be aware of the multiple ways to access lifesaving COVID-19 treatment and preventive products.

We distribute the following outpatient therapeutics directly to LTCFs that enroll in the PA DOH network:

  • Treatment: Oral antivirals (Paxlovid & Lagevrio);
  • Treatment: Monoclonal antibodies (Bebtelovimab); and
  • Preventive: Monoclonal antibodies for pre-exposure prophylaxis (Evusheld).

Stocking therapeutics on-site can help eligible patients access preventive protection and receive timely treatment, which must be initiated within a matter of days from symptom onset. Most patients who test positive for COVID-19 are eligible for treatment.

The one-page guide for LTCFs covers how to enroll in the PA DOH therapeutics network. The first step is to complete our therapeutics enrollment form. You will receive additional instructions after form submission. To enroll, your facility will need a pharmacy license and/or a licensed medical director to take responsibility. If you do not have either of these, please reference the guide for alternative options to access COVID-19 therapeutics.

In addition to reviewing the guide, we appreciate you sharing it with other relevant LTCF stakeholders.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out via email. Thank you for all that you do to protect vulnerable residents across the Commonwealth. We appreciate your partnership in the fight against COVID-19.

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On May 23, 2022, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General’s advisory that highlights the urgent need to address the health worker burnout crisis across the country. The advisory titled “Addressing Health Worker Burnout” warns that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated longstanding system challenges in the health care system. Health workers, including physicians, nurses, community and public health workers, nurse aides, and others have risked their own lives throughout the pandemic.

A series of recommendations are included in the advisory.

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

ODP Announcement 22-046 serves as a reminder about a recent update to recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Health about details for COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. The CDC updated their COVID-19 vaccine booster recommendations on May 19, 2022, to include guidance on boosters for children ages 5 through 11.

Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine booster, and those who are immunocompromised should receive a second booster dose at least four months after their first booster.

Eligible individuals are now able to schedule appointments and receive vaccine or booster doses. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will not be coordinating clinics for COVID-19 vaccine or booster doses.

Supports Coordination Organizations (SCO) and Supports Coordinators (SC) must make note of the following:

  • Supports Coordinators (SC) are responsible for ensuring vaccine access for each individual supported by their organization.
  • SCs are expected to be aware of vaccine and vaccination process information.
  • SCs are responsible to support the vaccination process through coordination of vaccine access and vaccination appointments.

Residential Providers must make note of the following:

  • Residential service providers are expected to identify a vaccine provider or have a plan for vaccinations of residents.
  • Providers encountering difficulties locating vaccine resources can contact ODP via email.

Questions about this announcement may be directed via email to ODP.

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