Situation Report | November 16, 2020
As indicated in last week’s Situation Report, New York has submitted its COVID-19 Vaccination Program to the federal government, describing steps and protocols to ensure the safe and efficient distribution and administration of vaccine to New York residents.
HCA has reviewed the program and finds that it insufficiently accounts for the role or needs of home care providers and patients. The document doesn’t mention staff who work in people’s homes as being part of any “essential worker phase.” It appears that home care staff would possibly fall under priority group three when they should be in a higher priority group. It is also not clear where home care patients are designated in being given the vaccine.
HCA has already communicated these concerns to the state Department of Health (DOH) and DOH has forwarded them to the Governor’s office. HCA will continue to press for greater visibility of home care in the state’s planning efforts and will report back to the membership with any further updates.