03/31/2022
FDA Authorizes Second Booster
On March 29, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a second booster dose for higher risk individuals and subsequently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that they will update their recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Separately and in addition, based on newly published data, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC made subsequent changes to the CDC’s Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines webpage on March 30. CDC changed the up to date definition which now states: Up to date means a person has received all recommended doses in their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine, and one booster dose when eligible. Getting a second booster dose is not necessary to be considered up to date at this time.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has confirmed for LeadingAge that they will provide further clarity for providers on how this updated language will impact current guidance found in the nursing home QSO-20-38-NH testing memo, QSO-20-39-NH visitation memo, Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic, and Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Spread in Nursing Homes.
On March 10, CMS updated the testing and visitation memos to align with the CDC’s “up to date” language. The nursing home testing memo added the following definition: “Up-to-Date” means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible.
LeadingAge Ohio is asking CMS to clarify how providers are to follow the current CDC booster recommendations since the memo’s references any booster dose(s) and the CDC webpage states the second booster dose is not necessary to be considered up to date. CMS confirmed they would get a response to the question and LeadingAge Ohio will alert members once we have this clarification from CMS. LeadingAge Ohio encourages members to keep staff, residents, and clients informed on the current vaccines and booster dose that they are eligible to receive.
