Vaccination Update
NYSIIS Reporting Errors
Several providers in our membership have recently reported data discrepancies in the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) regarding vaccination of staff and residents after their vaccination clinics with partner pharmacies in the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long Term Care. As members know, reporting of vaccinations under that program was the responsibility of pharmacies carrying out vaccinations.
Members are reporting that both Walgreens and CVS have made some significant reporting errors regarding vaccinations. Some entries for individuals are completely absent from NYSIIS. In some instances, first doses are not recorded, and the second doses reported are now listed as first doses. Other reporting errors show inaccurate dose dates occurring well after actual clinic dates or vaccination doses just days apart.
LeadingAge NY has notified the Department of Health (DOH) about this issue and is working to resolve the situation. These reporting errors leave providers having to furlough workers due to exposure, as they are not appearing fully vaccinated in NYSIIS. Members are encouraged to compare their staff and resident vaccination records to NYSIIS data and reach out to Meg Everett at meverett@leadingageny.org if there are discrepancies.
CIR and Excelsior Pass
New York City (NYC) providers have indicated that their Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR) data is not linking to the new New York State Excelsior Pass vaccine app. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is hearing this from other providers as well. LeadingAge NY has also communicated this concern to DOH.
EO 202.101 Issued
Last week, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order (EO) 202.101 extending all EO 202 provisions, including all compliance, notification, and reporting provisions for long term care facilities (LTCFs) regarding COVID-19, as well as flexibilities for telehealth, utilization of out-of-state health care personnel, and more. The order extends these provisions to May 6th. Members can view various EO 202 and 205 (travel) provisions in Excel format on the Governor’s website here.
Johnson & Johnson Pause and Vaccination of Discharges to LTCFs
EO 202.101 also includes a provision calling for general hospitals to offer vaccination, preferably the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, to patients being discharged to LTCFs. Guidance on the issue is available here.
Please note that as of April 13th, New York State has paused all administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to clinical concerns. DOH Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker's statement on the pause is available here.