Long-Term Care Updates From the Department of Health
Please see the below message from the Washington State Department of Health:
Thank you for your ongoing work to protect your congregate communities from vaccine preventable diseases. We are grateful for your continued partnership in this effort. Below are some updates for long-term care providers:
Long-Term Care (LTC) Post Card Delivery
Watch for a postcard from the Office of Immunization to arrive soon, if not yet already received. It’s a reminder for LTC providers to continue to offer and administer vaccines to residents and staff, now and over the next few months, as we move through peak virus season.
Expect hard copies of the postcards to be phased out as we move towards routine use of email messages to keep you informed. You will receive information more quickly and be able to access links to valuable resources.
New Long-Term Care Listserv
If you’ve not already done so, we invite you to subscribe to the Long-Term Care and Adult Immunization listserv. Receive Office of Immunization updates, resources, tools, and information about free CE trainings. To stay up to date about the most current immunization trainings, go to: Washington State Department of Health (govdelivery.com), enter your email, scroll down to Immunization, select Long Term Care and Adult Immunizations, then click submit.
Pre-filled Pfizer COVID-19 12+ Single Dose Refrigerated Syringes!
Single dose Pfizer 12+ COVID-19 vaccine pre-filled syringes for refrigerated storage (2°C and 8°C) are available now. Consider updating your immunization program protocols with them for more convenient on-site administration which also can help improve vaccine access and equity. Ask your LTC pharmacy supplier about pre-filled syringes today to learn more about their simplified storage requirements. The 10 week beyond use date found on the box does not apply to pre-filled syringes.
Save the Date to Get Free CEUs!
How to Talk with LTC Residents about Vaccinations for Respiratory Illness Webinar. This webinar will take place on February 13, 2024, 12-1:00 PM. Register here. Nursing CEUs available. DSHS CNA CE credit has been requested and authorization is pending.
Immunization Training Webinars
Subscribe to receive GovDelivery email messages directly from the Office of Immunization about free nurse CE approved trainings. Access on-demand, pre-recorded webinars with CEUs here at the DOH Immunization Training web page. To stay up to date about the most current immunization trainings, go to: Washington State Department of Health (govdelivery.com), enter your email, scroll down to Immunization, select Immunization Training, then click submit.
