for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania state health officials are commending skilled nursing facilities for their successful COVID-19 vaccination reporting efforts under new federal standards.
More than 90% of the state’s SNFs have submitted required weekly resident and staff vaccination data to the federal government, according to the Pennsylvanian Department of Health. Their success with the mandate has removed the “need for additional state COVID vaccine needs assessment surveys,” according to Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam.
“While continuing to provide quality care for residents at their facilities, SNFs have stepped up to supply this critical information in a timely manner,” Beam said last week. “It’s clear, based on the responses to the new national weekly survey, that Pennsylvania’s skilled nursing facilities are taking the ongoing vaccination of new residents and staff seriously.”
Numerous other states have reported high vaccination rates as well.
Nursing homes are required to report resident and staff vaccination rates to federal officials or face civil monetary penalties under an interim rule first announced in May. The data is also publicly posted on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ COVID-19 Nursing Home Data website.
The latest available data for the state shows that 81% of residents and 57% of staff are currently vaccinated.
“Pennsylvanians, including those working and living in skilled nursing facilities, recognize the important role vaccines play in protecting themselves and their loved ones against COVID-19,” Beam said. “We will continue to work with nursing homes to reinforce the importance of vaccinating new staff and residents.”
