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The Latest COVID-19 News, Delivered to You!
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Welcome to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council’s COVID-19 Flash Blast. This brief synopsis of key issues specific to the HCH community, policy developments, resources, and reading lists on the topic of COVID-19 will be delivered every two weeks. You are receiving this email because you subscribe to HCH communications. If you do not wish to receive this bi-weekly alert, you may unsubscribe below. (Note: These e-blasts will be archived here.)
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As the pandemic continues, here are three issues we are following that have direct impact on the HCH community:
Crisis Standards of Care
Over the past several weeks, Alaska and Idaho have had to activate Crisis Standards of Care (CSC), while many others are right on the brink. CSCs are a decision-making process to determine allocation of medical resources and care when resources are unavailable. In short, these plans guide who gets care, and who does not get care when there are not enough ventilators for everyone in need (as one example).The National Academy of Medicine has identified core principles these standards should follow in order to ensure they are fair. However, these standards vary by state and individual hospital system, meaning there can be differences in their content and application.
People experiencing homelessness are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 and, thus, more likely to require resources such as ICUs when recovering from the illness. Many states have rewritten their CSC as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure greater fairness and equity; however, these changes cannot make up for the systemic injustices that have caused people experiencing homelessness to be in poorer health, which may leave them at a disadvantage in situations where overall health status is a prime factor in determining allocation of scarce health care resources. Look for more information on this topic soon!
Vaccines: “Mix and Match” Dosing Guidance Expected Soon
Last week, an expert committee that advises the CDC heard the result of a clinical trial that studied the efficacy of combining different types of COVID-19 vaccines. The preliminary data showed that mixing vaccine types is safe and effective. It also shows that the immune response was equal to or greater than receiving booster doses of the same type. If mix-and-match dosing receives approval from the FDA and is recommended by the CDC, significant administrative burdens will be alleviated for health centers.
For HCHs, this will minimize the need to store and offer more than one vaccine type and could eliminate the administrative burden of looking in the database for vaccine records when a person does not remember what vaccine type they received or where they go it. This study may also inform a new definition of what it means to be “fully vaccinated,” which is particularly important in light of the vaccine mandate for health centers. The FDA is expected to allow mixing and matching of COVID-19 boosters and then the CDC will make a final recommendation. Stay tuned!
Vaccines: OSHA and CMS Vaccine Employer Mandate Rules
In response to President Biden’s vaccine mandate for many employers, we are awaiting the release of emergency rules that give more information about implementation of these requirements. While we released an FAQ last month about how this will impact the HCH community, we are awaiting more details. Of particular interest: How are contractors defined? How are volunteers defined, and does it include those serving on our Boards of Directors? Will paid time off be required? Who is required to provide testing, if eligible? It is expected that once these rules are released, they will be effective immediately.
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NEW COUNCIL RESOURCE ON LONG-COVID ADAPTED CLINICAL GUIDELINES
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There will be many policy changes related to COVID-19 in the next several months as the Biden-Harris Administration moves forward with its agenda. Below are the most recent developments:
- Vaccines saved lives: HHS announced a study conducted by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) showing COVID-19 vaccines may have helped prevent 265,000 COVID-19 infections, 107,000 hospitalizations, and 39,000 deaths among Medicare beneficiaries between January and May 2021.
- More on boosters: Last week, a federal advisory committee reviewed the data for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen booster doses. The committee recommended a half-dose Moderna vaccine for people 65+, those 18-64 with risk factors for severe COVID-19, and those whose jobs put them at high risk for serious complications of COVID-19, such as health care workers. They also recommended a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine two months after the initial dose – without any restrictions on who is eligible for it. There is still a review process before the CDC makes a final recommendation on this issue. Stay tuned!
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Federal guidance, local tools, and new research are being published every day. Below are the newest items we've selected that will be helpful to the HCH community.
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Federal guidance, local tools, and new research are being published every day. Below are the newest items we've selected that will be helpful to the HCH community.
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Publications from the HCH Community:
(Have something you've published related to COVID-19? Let us know!)
Other Media:
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Have a resource or issue you want to add to a future COVID-19 Flash Blast? Let us know! Email Katie League.
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Katie League, LCSW-C
COVID-19 Project Manager
National Health Care for the Homeless Council
kleague@nhchc.org
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National Health Care for the Homeless Council
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National Institute for Medical Respite Care
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| Grounded in human rights and social justice, the National Health Care for the Homeless Council's mission is to build an equitable, high-quality health care system through training, research, and advocacy in the movement to end homelessness.
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