| Organization: | Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences Department of Public Health |
|---|---|
| Date published: | November 22, 2022 |
| Last updated: | December 4, 2024 |
Overview
Personnel in long-term care facilities are at an increased risk of acquiring influenza. Annual flu vaccination of both residents and staff are essential to preventing these outbreaks.
CDC Resources:
- Interim Guidance for Influenza Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care and Post-Acute Care Facilities
- Testing and Management Considerations for Nursing Home Residents | Influenza (Flu) | CDC
- Infection Control Actions for Respiratory Viruses | CDC
- Viral Respiratory Pathogens Toolkit for Nursing Homes
The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) website also provides Flu Resources for Healthcare Professionals, and for Patients and Partners.
If you have questions regarding pricing and reimbursement under Medicare Part B, including pneumococcal and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines, please call the Medicare Call Center at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Regulation [105 CMR 150.002(D)[8)] and 105 CMR 150.002(D)(11) requires LTC facilities and 105 CMR 158.030(L)(8) and 105 CMR 158.030(M), require Adult Day Health Programs to provide information about the risks and benefits of flu and COVID-19 vaccine and offer access to flu and COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to all personnel. All LTC facilities and Adult Day Health Programs are also required to report information to MDPH documenting compliance with the vaccination requirement, in accordance with the reporting and data collection guidelines of the Commissioner (105 CMR).
For questions regarding the reporting requirements, please contact Eileen McHale at the Bureau of Healthcare Safety and Quality at (617) 624-0510 or Eileen.McHale@mass.gov.