In a final rule published in the Federal Register June 5, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) withdrew its requirement that health care workers get the COVID-19 vaccine. Other CMS requirements surrounding COVID-19 vaccines will remain. We've gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other media outlets.
Vaccination Provisions Revoked
"We are withdrawing the health care staff COVID-19 vaccination provisions. We strongly encourage facilities, when the opportunity exists and resources allow, to facilitate the vaccination and education of all individuals who provide services infrequently or frequently," the CMS wrote in its rule's analysis of and response to public comments.
The CMS explained in its supplementary information to the rule that as conditions and circumstances of the COVID-19 public health emergency have evolved, "so too has CMS' response." At this point in time, the agency believes that the risks targeted by the staff vaccination requirement "have been largely addressed," so it is now aligning its approach with those for other infectious diseases, specifically influenza. "Accordingly, [the] CMS intends to encourage ongoing COVID-19 vaccination through its quality reporting and value-based incentive programs in the near future."
Effective Date
The rule will take effect on or about Aug. 4. While the final rule is not yet effective, the CMS said it does not intend to enforce staff vaccination requirements before the...
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