White House Announces Vaccination Distribution Program for LTC Residents – Registration Deadline Extended to November 6th

According to data from CMS, 126 Indiana nursing facilities have not made an election in the COVID-19 Vaccine registration system.  We urge you to do so before the deadline. Click here to access the spreadsheet for Assisted Living and here for SNF they list the name of facilities that have not yet registered. This spreadsheet was updated on November 4, 2020.

On Friday, October 16, the White House announced the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program—a national vaccine distribution program for long-term care residents. Importantly, on Tuesday, October 27, the deadline to register for the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Program was extended to Friday, November 6.  We strongly encourage all long-term care facilities to review this information and register as soon as possible, if you have not done so already.  This is critical to ensuring our vulnerable residents are among the first to receive a vaccine when it becomes available.

The COVID-19 vaccine will likely become available in phases over the coming months. To prepare, the federal government has partnered with CVS and Walgreens to distribute and administer the vaccine to residents in long-term care facilities. This program is free of charge and covers all of the reporting requirements associated with the vaccine. Vaccination for health care workers will be handled by states, and will likely take place in early phases of distribution.

Registration Process:

• The registration process launched on Monday, October 19 and runs through November 6, 2020.
• All skilled nursing facilities will be able to register through CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).
• All assisted living, ICF/IIDs and other congregate settings for older adults will be able to register at this web portal (https://redcap.link/LTCF)

Please note:

• After the sign up period closes, no changes can be made via the NHSN or the online form, and facilities will need to coordinate directly with the pharmacy provider selected to make any changes regarding vaccination supply and services.
• Click here to access a spreadsheet that lists the name of facilities that have not yet registered. If your facility’s name is listed in the spreadsheet, please be sure to register for the vaccine

Helpful FAQs

• Q:  Will the facility be liable if there is an adverse occurrence?
  • A:  Generally, vaccines are covered under federal law unless there is gross negligence.  It would be best for SNFs to address this concern with an attorney,.
• Q: Will a parent company be able to sign up all facilities at one time?
  • A:  Please email the address on the Redcap website to request a bulk entry template.

The CDC is offering an overview and FAQs to help further explain the program, and we are also offering an overview. To prepare, we encourage you to review these materials, as well as:

• Compile the necessary information for the nursing home and assisted living portals, to inform CDC about your resident population
• Register now for one of AHCA/NCAL’s “Office Hours” on ahcancalED – we’ve already secured multiple times over the next two weeks with CDC staff to help answer your questions about this vaccination program. Presentation handouts from today’s webinar can be accessed here.