Situation Report | February 22, 2021
Beginning today, February 22, and until further notice, the Health Electronic Data System (HERDS) surveys required of Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs) and hospices three times per week will include additional questions regarding the vaccination status of staff as well as the willingness and eligibility for vaccination for those not yet vaccinated.
In preparation for answering these questions, the state Department of Health (DOH) advises agencies to gather information on your staff, inclusive of volunteers, full-time, part-time, per-diem and on-call who have been vaccinated as well as those who have not. DOH will be seeking total numbers of direct care staff medically eligible, willing and not vaccinated as well as staff without direct patient care responsibilities who would be in the eligible priority groups listed in the week 10 COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance (beginning Monday, February 15, 2021).
HCA and other associations recently surveyed all home care agencies in New York State to obtain data on the number of unvaccinated staff in response to inquiries from the state, New York City and regional vaccination hubs. The information now being requested by DOH will add to this data source and can be used to help target vaccinations to unvaccinated staff.
Inquiries related to COVID-19 vaccination and the HERDS Surveys should be sent to hcstatrpts@health.ny.gov.