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 in the state of California.
The California Department of Public Health has issued a new order that will require all healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated, including a booster when eligible, by February 1, 2022. After February 1, the worker must receive their booster within 15 days of being eligible for a booster. The only exemptions provided are for religious beliefs or qualifying medical reasons.
For clinicians who are exempt or have not yet received their booster, twice weekly testing and proper PPE will be required. Testing will occur for all-booster eligible colleagues who have not yet received their booster by January 7, 2022.
In addition, Santa Clara County (SCC) in California recently mandated all healthcare workers, regardless of exemption, must be vaccinated and receive a booster, if eligible, on or before January 24, 2022. The HCA Healthcare facilities this applies to are Good Samaritan Hospital and Regional Medical Center of San Jose.
Dates to know:
- January 7, 2022 – testing twice a week will begin for booster-eligible workers, who have not yet received a booster dose.
- January 24, 2022 – The deadline for booster-eligible healthcare workers working in Santa Clara County to receive their booster, or within 15 days of becoming eligible for a booster if they are not eligible. Also the deadline for currently non-vaccinated/exempt healthcare workers working in Santa Clara County to receive their first dose of vaccination.
- February 1, 2022 – The deadline for booster-eligible workers to receive their booster, or within 15 days of becoming eligible for a booster if they are not eligible as of February 1, 2022; medical and religious exemptions apply.
- March 21, 2022 – The deadline for currently non-vaccinated/exempt healthcare workers working in Santa Clara County to receive their second dose of vaccination.
Immediate Next Steps:
If healthcare workers received their full series of vaccination, including the booster, for one of the three types of vaccines — please make sure that proof has been uploaded to the candidate’s HealthTrust Workforce Solutions account. If unable to upload to the account, please send a copy to HWS.DenverHR@HealthTrustWS.com.
Acceptable forms of proof include:
- Covid-19 Vaccination Record Card (issued by the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control & Prevention or WHO Yellow Card1) which includes:
- Name of person vaccinated
- Type of vaccine provided
- Date first and last dose administered
- Date of birth
- Documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider; must show:
- Name of person vaccinated
- Type of vaccine provided
- Date first and last dose administered
- Date of birth
- For workers in California, outside of Santa Clara, if the healthcare worker is exempt from being vaccinated for religious beliefs or qualifying medical conditions, a completed exemption form is required. The Exemption forms are found here: https://vproverified.com/health/
- If a medical exemption is needed, the healthcare worker must provide the following:
- A written statement signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or other licensed medical professional stating that the individual qualifies for the exemption (but the statement should not describe the underlying medical condition or disability).
- Indication of the probable duration of the worker’s inability to receive the vaccine (or if the duration is unknown or permanent, so indicate).
- If a religious exemption is needed, the healthcare worker must provide the following:
- The religious belief, practice, or observance that prevents vaccination.
- Please note, once the exemption documentation has been provided, it will be reviewed to ensure qualifications have been met for compliance.
- Please note, if the clinician has already been deemed exempt, additional documentation is not required, unless exemption expiration, if any, has occurred.
Booster Eligibility Guidelines:
- Pfizer - BioNTech: At least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series
- Moderna: At least 6 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series
- Johnson & Johnson's Janssen : At least 2 months after receiving your J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions encourages vaccination as a safe and effective solution. As the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and our own infectious disease experts have recommended, vaccination is a vital step to protect individuals from the COVID-19 virus.
All healthcare workers working in patient care facilities are required to adhere to the mandate and receive the COVID-19 vaccine by the date mentioned above unless there is a valid, documented medical or religious reason for opting out. Failure to do so can result in a disruption of service.
This is an evolving situation and we are actively working to maintain compliance with the State's mandate. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.
If you have any questions, please contact your Staffing Office or recruiter.